Epirus Biopharmaceuticals acquires Bioceros Holding B.V and with it biosimilars BOW 080, BOW 090 and BOW 100

Epirus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., a biosimilar company focused on the global development and commercialization of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), has announced an agreement for the acquisition of Bioceros Holding B.V., enabling Epirus to expand its biosimilar pipeline and vertically integrate product development capabilities. Bioceros is a privately-held, Netherlands-based biopharmaceutical R&D company focused on the development of mAbs and generation of GMP-ready cell lines. Over the past decade, Bioceros has developed numerous biosimilar cell lines from its proprietary, well-characterized CHO platform (CHOBC). Bioceros' staff of scientists, fully-equipped labs and bioreactor capabilities have been designed for the development of mAbs and protein therapeutics, with a focus on biosimilars. From the Bioceros platform, Epirus will expand its pipeline with the addition of three preclinical product candidates: BOW 080, a proposed biosimilar to eculizumab (reference biologic Soliris); BOW 090, a proposed biosimilar to ustekinumab (reference biologic Stelara); and BOW 100, a proposed biosimilar to golimumab (reference biologic Simponi). Soliris, marketed by Alexion Pharmaceuticals, is currently indicated to treat ultra-rare blood disorders, including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Simponi and Stelara are marketed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals and indicated in inflammatory and immune mediated disorders.