Biocon Limited has signed a partnership agreement with Bahiafarma and Bionovis to support the production and commercialization of pertuzumab in Brazil.
The agreement marks an important step in expanding access to a critical HER2-positive breast cancer therapy through Brazil’s Productive Development Partnership (PDP) program.
The consortium of Biocon, Bahiafarma and Bionovis has received 100% allocation under Brazil’s 10-year PDP program for pertuzumab.
Through the agreement, the partners will gain exclusive access to Brazil’s public healthcare market, which represents approximately 70% of the country’s demand for pertuzumab.
For Biocon, the partnership creates a long-term opportunity to supply the medicine to Brazil’s public oncology network while supporting broader access to affordable biological therapies.
Pertuzumab is a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, an aggressive form of breast cancer in which cancer cells have high levels of the HER2 protein.
The therapy is currently not manufactured locally in Brazil and represents a significant expenditure for the country’s Unified Health System (SUS). The new partnership is designed to address both access and local production priorities.
Under the 10-year agreement, Biocon will receive milestone payments as well as a share of revenues generated through the Brazil PDP opportunity.
The product is also expected to undergo phased localization in Brazil over the mid to long term, helping strengthen the country’s domestic capabilities in complex biologic manufacturing.
The collaboration brings together three organizations with complementary strengths. Biocon contributes its global biopharmaceutical expertise, while Bahiafarma provides public-sector capabilities and Bionovis brings experience in complex biological medicines and biosimilars.
Beyond commercial supply, the partnership could contribute to Brazil’s broader healthcare and pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem by supporting technology transfer, specialized employment and local production capabilities.
For patients, the agreement has the potential to create a more sustainable pathway for accessing important cancer treatment through the public healthcare system.
For Brazil, it also aligns with efforts to strengthen the Health Economic-Industrial Complex and reduce dependence on imported high-complexity biological medicines.
The partnership demonstrates how public-sector institutions and global biopharmaceutical companies can work together to combine local manufacturing ambitions with the need for reliable and affordable access to advanced therapies.
It also highlights the growing importance of biosimilars and localized biopharmaceutical production as healthcare systems look for ways to manage treatment costs while expanding patient access.
Biocon has established Brazil as an important market as it continues to expand its global presence in affordable medicines and biosimilars.
The company has commercialized 12 biosimilar products and more than 30 generic formulations globally, with a research and development pipeline of more than 20 biosimilar assets, alongside GLP-1 peptides and other complex generics.
Headquartered in Bengaluru, India, Biocon operates across more than 120 countries and is supported by seven manufacturing sites, three R&D sites and 18 offices worldwide.
With more than 9,500 employees, the company follows an integrated lab-to-patient model that combines research and development, manufacturing and commercial capabilities.
The new pertuzumab partnership further strengthens Biocon’s position in the global biosimilars and complex biologics landscape while supporting Brazil’s efforts to improve access to high-quality cancer medicines.
Overall, the 10-year PDP agreement represents more than a supply contract. It creates a long-term framework for technology collaboration, local manufacturing and broader access to HER2-positive breast cancer treatment in Brazil.
About Biocon
Biocon Limited is a Bengaluru-based global biopharmaceutical company focused on affordable medicines, biosimilars and complex generics. The company operates in more than 120 countries, with a strong presence across oncology, diabetes, obesity, immunology and other chronic disease areas. Biocon has commercialized 12 biosimilars and 30+ generic formulations globally, supported by a growing pipeline of innovative therapies and complex biologics.