Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in oncology, today announced that it has signed a letter of agreement with Viropro, Inc., for the development of a biosimilar version of the monoclonal antibody drug rituximab (marketed by Genentech/Roche). Worldwide sales of rituximab in 2009 in all indications, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic lymphoma, were approximately $5.6 billion.
"We are excited at the opportunity to develop our own proprietary biosimilar formulation of rituximab in anticipation of patent expirations for rituximab over the coming years," said Rajesh C. Shrotriya, MD, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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