India's Cipla, China's Qilu partner for US launch of Merck's Keytruda biosimilar

Cipla

03/09/2026 16:22

Sept 3 (Reuters) - India's Cipla CIPL.NS said on Thursday its U.S. unit entered an exclusive partnership with China's Qilu Pharmaceutical to license a biosimilar version of Merck's MRK.N cancer drug Keytruda for the U.S. market.
Here are more details:
Under the agreement, Qilu will handle development, regulatory approvals, manufacturing and supply of QL2107, a biosimilar version of Merck's Keytruda, while Cipla USA will be responsible for commercialization and sales in the United States.
QL2107 was developed to offer patients a more affordable treatment option that matches the original cancer therapy's safety and efficacy profile.
Cipla said the agreement supports its strategy to expand its oncology-focused biosimilars portfolio, leveraging Qilu's research and manufacturing capabilities and Cipla's U.S. commercial network.
Keytruda, until recently the world's top-selling drug, is used against 20 different kinds of ‌cancerous tumors and ⁠45 types and stages of cancer. Merck is set to lose patent protection for Keytruda in 2028.

 (Reporting by Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru; Editing by Diti Pujara)
 ((UrviManoj.Dugar@thomsonreuters.com; +91 9558725583;))