Biocon Biologics has finalized a settlement and license agreement with Regeneron that will enable the commercialization of aflibercept-jbvf (Yesafili), its interchangeable biosimilar to Eylea (aflibercept), in the United States. The agreement sets a timeline for market entry in the second half of 2026, with provisions for earlier launch under certain circumstances.
The settlement resolves significant legal obstacles, dismissing a pending appeal at the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit regarding patent US11084865 and ending ongoing litigation at the US District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Clarksburg Division. Financial terms of the agreement remain confidential.
Shreehas Tambe, CEO & Managing Director at Biocon Biologics, emphasized the strategic importance of this development: "This settlement clears the path for Biocon Biologics to be among the first to bring a reliable, high-quality aflibercept biosimilar to patients and healthcare providers in the United States. As the first-to-file interchangeable biosimilar to Eylea, Yesafili affirms our scientific strength and marks our strategic entry into Ophthalmology, expanding our footprint in the US and advancing our mission to increase access to life-changing treatments."
Regulatory Status and Market Positioning
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Yesafili in May 2024, granting it interchangeable status with the reference product. This designation allows pharmacists to substitute the biosimilar for the branded product without consulting the prescribing physician, potentially accelerating market penetration.
Biocon has also secured a similar settlement agreement in Canada with Bayer and Regeneron, with the Canadian launch scheduled for no later than July 1, 2025. This multi-market strategy highlights Biocon's global approach to biosimilar commercialization.
Therapeutic Applications
Yesafili is indicated for multiple ophthalmic conditions, including:
- Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Visual impairment due to macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (branch RVO or central RVO)
- Visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema (DME)
- Visual impairment due to myopic choroidal neovascularization (myopic CNV)
Market Impact and Strategic Significance
As one of the first aflibercept biosimilars to reach the US market, Yesafili represents a significant opportunity to increase patient access to a critical ophthalmic therapy while potentially reducing treatment costs. The original product, Eylea, has been a blockbuster drug for Regeneron, with global sales exceeding $9 billion annually.
The settlement agreement reflects the complex balance between intellectual property protection and the advancement of biosimilar competition in the pharmaceutical industry. For Biocon Biologics, this agreement represents not only entry into the ophthalmology market but also strengthens its position as a major player in the global biosimilars landscape.
Healthcare providers and patients may benefit from increased treatment options and potential cost savings once Yesafili enters the market, though the full impact will depend on pricing strategies, reimbursement policies, and physician adoption patterns.
