BOSTON, Nov. 05, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EPIRUS Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:EPRS), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the global development and commercialization of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and the Biosimilars Forum, a not-for-profit organization of 12 leading companies representing the U.S. biosimilars industry, today announced that EPIRUS has joined the Forum.
The members of the Biosimilars Forum collectively represent the largest pipeline of biosimilars in development in the U.S. The Forum is also the first nonprofit organization solely dedicated to expanding patient access to biosimilars in the United States. The Forum currently includes: Allergan, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Coherus Biosciences, EMD Serono, Merck, Pfizer, Samsung Bioepis, Sandoz, Teva and now EPIRUS.
“It’s an honor to join the Biosimilars Forum, whose mission is to educate and advocate for public policies and practices that encourage access, awareness and adoption of biosimilars in the U.S.,” said Amit Munshi, President and Chief Executive Officer, EPIRUS Biopharmaceuticals. “We intend to leverage our global market expertise as we work collectively with our industry peers to educate patients and physicians on the value biosimilars represent to society as a whole.”
After the recent FDA approval of the first biosimilar in the U.S. and the ongoing development and production of other biosimilars, the founding members of the Biosimilars Forum recognized the need for a sustained and unbiased biosimilars education and advocacy program in the U.S. To this end, the development of an independent nonprofit forum to raise awareness of biosimilars and serve as a credible resource for information was warranted. The Biosimilars Forum provides an opportunity for companies developing biosimilars focused on the U.S. market to work together and with other key stakeholders on topics instrumental to biosimilars and patient care.
“We’re pleased to welcome EPIRUS to the Biosimilars Forum and applaud their shared goal with our current members to expand access and availability of biological medicines and to improve healthcare delivery in the U.S.,” said Juliana Reed, President, Biosimilars Forum. “EPIRUS’ robust pipeline and experience in the global biosimilars market will be a great contribution in our collective effort and common mission of providing more consistent access to biological medicines at a lower cost burden to physicians, and patients and their families.”
About EPIRUS Biopharmaceuticals
EPIRUS Biopharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:EPRS) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the global development and commercialization of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). EPIRUS’ goal is to improve global patient access to important, cost-effective medicines. EPIRUS' current pipeline of biosimilar product candidates includes: BOW015 (infliximab, reference biologic Remicade®); BOW050 (adalimumab, reference biologic Humira®); BOW070 (tocilizumab, reference biologic Actemra®); BOW080 (eculizumab, reference biologic Soliris®); BOW090 (ustekinumab, reference biologic STELARA®); and BOW100 (golimumab, reference biologic SIMPONI®)i. The reference products for these candidates together generated approximately $29.2 billion in global sales for 2014, according to EvaluatePharma®. EPIRUS has established multiple partnerships to support its regulatory and commercialization efforts in global markets. For more information visit EPIRUS’ website at www.epirusbiopharma.com.
About the Biosimilars Forum
The Biosimilars Forum is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance biosimilars in the United States with the intent of expanding access and availability of biological medicines, and improving health care. The founding members of the Biosimilars Forum represent the majority of companies with the most significant U.S. biosimilars development portfolios.
To learn more about biosimilars, the Forum, and how to get involved, visit BiosimilarsForum.org or go to @USBiosimilars to follow related conversations and join the dialogue.
i Remicade is a registered trademark of Johnson and Johnson (www.jnj.com); Humira is a registered trademark of AbbVie (www.abbvie.com); Actemra is a registered trademark of Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha Corp., a member of the Roche Group (www.gene.com); Stelara is owned and marketed by Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson (www.jnj.com); Simponi is marketed by Janssen Biotech Inc (www.janssenbiotech.com); Soliris is a registered trademark of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.alxn.com)
Contact Information:
EPIRUS
For media inquiries:
Mike Devine, FleishmanHillard
+1-212-453-2324
michael.devine@fleishman.com
For investor inquiries:
Tom Shea, EPIRUS Biopharmaceuticals
+1-617-600-3471
tshea@epirusbiopharma.com
Biosimilars Forum
For media inquiries:
Lynn Blenkhorn
508-851-0930
biosimilars@fkhealth.com
Aimee Steel
202-828-1895
Aimee.steel@hklaw.com
