BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Drugmaker Merck KGaA (MKGAY.PK) Thursday, said that its biopharmaceutical division Merck Serono is well on track with the implementation of the Group's 'Fit for 2018' transformation and growth program.
According to the company, this is reflected by efficiency gains and the successful execution of growth initiatives as well as progress in the pipeline, among others in Immuno-Oncology and in the field of Biosimilars, in which Merck plans to step up investments next year.
'While we are moving forward expeditiously with our internal programs, we have initiated a competitive process to select the best partner for the global co-development and co-commercialization of our anti-PD-L1 compound,' said Stefan Oschmann, CEO Pharma and member of the Executive Board of Merck.
Merck also gave examples of how to keep the biopharmaceutical business around Erbitux, Rebif and fertility resilient, stable and profitable by building on strong competitive positions.
In General Medicine, especially with brands such as Glucophage and Concor, Merck said it is focusing on growth in Emerging Markets.
Merck also gave an update on its plans for its Biosimilars activities. In addition to the already disclosed investment plan of € 100 million for this year, the unit plans to invest € 130 million to € 150 million in 2015, depending on the outcome of ongoing Phase I studies.
According to the company, existing partnerships with India's Dr. Reddy's and Brazil's Bionovis will be expanded by another, yet undisclosed in-licensing agreement for a late-stage biosimilar, initially for smaller emerging markets. Between 2015 and 2016, the company plans to initiate between two and five Phase III clinical trials.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX