Samsung Bioepis and Organon have announced results from an interchangeability study for their Hadlima biosimilar rival to Humira, also disclosing plans to file for a US interchangeability designation.

As big pharma braces for a new wave of patent expiries, we speak to two former industry chiefs – Novartis’s Joe Jimenez and Schering-Plough’s Fred Hassan – about the approach they took in similar circumstances.

Already partnered on antibody-drug conjugates and a Phase III breast cancer candidate, Merck could pay up to $9.3bn under its third pact in 2022 with Kelun. Eisai divests Fycompa to Catalyst.

Lupin is liquidating its share in a Japanese biosimilar joint venture with Yoshindo, leading the Indian firm to tie-up with familiar face I’Rom Group to develop and commercialize a biosimilar to Amgen’s Prolia/Xgeva (denosumab) in Japan’s $500m addressable market. Meanwhile, Lupin has also received UK approval for generic Spiriva.