Harrow Enters into Commercialization Agreement with Samsung Bioepis for Ophthalmology Biosimilars Portfolio in the United States
Harrow to assume full commercial responsibility for BYOOVIZ® and OPUVIZ™ by the end of 2025
Harrow (NASDAQ:HROW), a leading North American eyecare pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Samsung Bioepis Co. Ltd. (hereafter "Samsung Bioepis") to secure the exclusive U.S. commercial rights to the ophthalmology biosimilar portfolio of Samsung Bioepis — BYOOVIZ® (ranibizumab-nuna), an FDA-approved biosimilar referencing LUCENTISi (ranibizumab), and OPUVIZ™ (aflibercept-yszy), an FDA-approved biosimilar referencing EYLEAii (aflibercept) — two of the most widely used anti-VEGF therapies for retinal diseases.
BYOOVIZ has been commercialized by Biogen in the U.S. since its initial launch in June 2022. In October 2024, Biogen notified Samsung Bioepis of their decision to terminate the 2019 Development and Commercialization Agreement within the U.S. and Canada. Samsung Bioepis has been closely working with Biogen on the transfer of commercialization rights for BYOOVIZ and OPUVIZ back to Samsung Bioepis in these regions. Harrow will assume full responsibility for commercialization of BYOOVIZ in the U.S. upon completion of the transition of commercial rights from Biogen back to Samsung Bioepis. The transition is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
This strategic acquisition enhances Harrow's position as the leading full-spectrum ophthalmic pharmaceuticals provider in the U.S., expands its pipeline with high-value biosimilars for sight‑threatening retinal diseases, and reinforces its commitment to delivering value-oriented innovation to the U.S. eyecare market.
"This transformational acquisition marks a pivotal moment for Harrow and reinforces our commitment to delivering innovation, accessibility, and value to the U.S. ophthalmology community," said Mark L. Baum, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Harrow. "We are excited to leverage our growing commercial presence within the retina specialist community, built over the past year, and partner with Samsung Bioepis, globally recognized for its scientific excellence in biologics and biosimilars. These ophthalmic assets are among the most highly regarded in the market, and we are looking forward to bringing these products to U.S. physicians and patients."
Transaction Highlights
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Acquired Rights: Harrow gains exclusive U.S. commercial rights to Samsung Bioepis' portfolio of ophthalmic biosimilars, including BYOOVIZ® ("bio-viss") and OPUVIZ™ ("op-u-vis"):
- BYOOVIZ (ranibizumab-nuna) 0.05mL injection, the first FDA-approved LUCENTIS biosimilar indicated for the treatment of patients with Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Macular Edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO), and Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization (mCNV).
- OPUVIZ (aflibercept-yszy) 0.05mL injection, an FDA-approved EYLEA biosimilar indicated for the treatment of patients with Wet AMD, Macular Edema following RVO, Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR).
- Market Opportunity: The retinal disease treatment market represents a $9 billion opportunityiii in the U.S., with biosimilars expected to expand patient access and affordability.
- Execution-Ready Platform: Harrow will leverage its established commercial infrastructure and national reach to accelerate the market impact of these biosimilars.
Harrow is committed to reshaping the Wet AMD treatment landscape by offering an FDA-approved, on-label, and affordable alternative to existing anti-VEGF therapies. The market is dominated by EYLEA, LUCENTIS, VABYSMO, and compounded Avastin, which continues to be used off-label due to its low cost, despite not being formulated or approved for ocular administration. Current anti-VEGF therapies are among the most expensive drug categories covered under Medicare Part B, with annual spending in the U.S. exceeding $4.2 billioniv. Harrow's acquisition of these products has the potential to substantially lower the financial burden on Medicare and commercial plans, while improving access and affordability for patients.
About BYOOVIZ (ranibizumab-nuna)
BYOOVIZ (ranibizumab-nuna) injection, for intravitreal use.
BYOOVIZ (ranibizumab-nuna) is biosimilar to LUCENTIS (ranibizumab injection).
BYOOVIZ, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor, is indicated for the treatment of patients with:
Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization (mCNV)
Select Important Safety Information
WARNING AND PRECAUTIONS
Endophthalmitis and retinal detachments may occur following intravitreal injections. Patients should be monitored following the injection.
Increases in intraocular pressure (IOP) have been noted both pre- and post-intravitreal injection.
There is a potential risk of arterial thromboembolic events following intravitreal use of VEGF inhibitors.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most common adverse reactions (reported more frequently in ranibizumab treated subjects than control subjects) are conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, vitreous floaters, and increased IOP.
Please see Prescribing Information for BYOOVIZ (ranibizumab-nuna) HERE.
About OPUVIZ (aflibercept-yszy)
OPUVIZ (aflibercept-yszy) injection, for intravitreal use.
OPUVIZ (aflibercept-yszy) is biosimilar to EYLEA (aflibercept).
OPUVIZ is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor, indicated for the treatment of patients with:
Neovascular (Wet) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Macular Edema Following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)
Select Important Safety Information
WARNING AND PRECAUTIONS
Endophthalmitis, retinal detachments, and retinal vasculitis with or without occlusion may occur following intravitreal injections. Patients and/or caregivers should be instructed to report any signs and/or symptoms suggestive of endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, or retinal vasculitis without delay and should be managed appropriately.
Increases in intraocular pressure have been seen within 60 minutes of an intravitreal injection.
There is a potential risk of arterial thromboembolic events following intravitreal use of VEGF inhibitors.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) reported in patients receiving aflibercept were conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, cataract, vitreous detachment, vitreous floaters, and intraocular pressure increased.
Please see Prescribing Information for OPUVIZ (aflibercept-yszy) HERE.
About Harrow
Harrow, Inc. (NASDAQ:HROW) is a leading eyecare pharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative ophthalmic pharmaceutical products for the North American market. Harrow helps eyecare professionals preserve the gift of sight by making its portfolio of pharmaceutical products accessible and affordable to millions of patients each year. For more information about Harrow, please visit harrow.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this release that are not historical facts may be considered such "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ materially and adversely from the statements contained herein. Some of the potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those predicted include, among others, risks related to: liquidity or results of operations; our ability to successfully implement our business plan, develop and commercialize our products, product candidates and proprietary formulations in a timely manner or at all, identify and acquire additional products, manage our pharmacy operations, service our debt, obtain financing necessary to operate our business, recruit and retain qualified personnel, manage any growth we may experience and successfully realize the benefits of our previous acquisitions and any other acquisitions and collaborative arrangements we may pursue; competition from pharmaceutical companies, outsourcing facilities and pharmacies; general economic and business conditions, including inflation and supply chain challenges; regulatory and legal risks, including litigation matters, and other uncertainties related to our pharmacy operations and the pharmacy and pharmaceutical business in general; physician interest in and market acceptance of our current and any future formulations and compounding pharmacies generally. These and additional risks and uncertainties are more fully described in Harrow's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other filings with the SEC. Such documents may be read free of charge on the SEC's web site at sec.gov. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, Harrow undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events, or circumstances after the date they are made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
i Lucentis is a trademark of Genentech, Inc.
ii Eylea is a trademark of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
iii Company annual reports & Biopharma AVASTIN estimates
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