Amgen Accelerates Expansion Plans in China with $2.7B Deal

Amgen has entered into a strategic collaboration with BeiGene that will significantly accelerate Amgen’s expansion plans in China. BeiGene is a research-based, oncology-focused biotechnology company with an established and experienced team in China, including a 700-person commercial organization and a 600-person clinical development organization. As part of the collaboration Amgen will acquire a 20.5% stake in BeiGene for approximately $2.7 billion in cash.

“This strategic collaboration with BeiGene will enable Amgen to serve significantly more patients by expanding our presence in the world’s most populous country,” said Robert A. Bradway, Amgen’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Cancer is a leading cause of death in China and will only become a more pressing public health issue as the Chinese population ages. With its extensive commercial and clinical capabilities within China and a commitment to global quality standards, BeiGene is the ideal strategic collaborator as we seek to make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of cancer patients in China and around the world.”

Under the agreement, BeiGene will commercialize XGEVA, KYPROLIS and BLINCYTO in China during which time the parties will equally share profits and losses. Two of these products will revert to Amgen, one after five years and one after seven years. Following the commercialization period, BeiGene will have the right to retain one product and will be entitled to receive royalties on sales in China for an additional five years on the products not retained. XGEVA was launched in China in September of this year; KYPROLIS and BLINCYTO are both in Phase 3 trials in China. 
 
The two companies will collaborate to advance 20 medicines from Amgen’s innovative oncology pipeline in China and globally. BeiGene will share global research and development costs and contribute up to $1.25 billion to advance these medicines. Amgen will pay royalties to BeiGene on sales of these products outside of China, with the exception of AMG 510, Amgen’s first-in-class KRAS^G12C inhibitor that is being studied as a potential treatment for solid tumors. 
 
Of the 20 oncology medicines, BeiGene will assume commercial rights in China for seven years after launch for those that receive approval in China, including AMG 510. After this time, BeiGene will retain rights to up to six of these products in China, excluding AMG 510, while rights on remaining products revert to Amgen. 
 
Amgen will continue to commercialize its non-oncology product portfolio in China. Earlier this year, Amgen launched its first-ever product in China, Repatha, an LDL cholesterol-lowering treatment proven to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Amgen expects to launch a number of other non-oncology medicines in China over the next several years, including Prolia, which reduces the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. 
 
XGEVA, KYPROLIS and BLINCYTO, as well as the medicines in Amgen’s oncology pipeline, will be manufactured at Amgen’s existing facilities.