Kamada and Kedrion Biopharma announce global collaboration, to develop plasma-derived COVID-19 anti-bodies

Kamada and Kedrion Biopharma two prominent biopharmaceutical companies specialized in plasma-derived protein therapeutics have announced a global collaboration for the development, manufacturing and distribution of plasma-derived COVID-19 antibodies, derived from plasma of recovered COVID-19 patients.

Hyderabad:Kamada Ltd. and Kedrion Biopharma, two prominent bio-pharmaceutical companies specialized in plasma-derived protein therapeutics, today announced a global collaboration for the development, manufacturing and distribution of a human plasma-derived Anti-SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) polyclonal immunoglobulin (IgG) product as a potential treatment for coronavirus patients. The announcement follows separate previous reports by each of the two entities in connection with the initiation of development programs for such product.

Kedrion will provide plasma, collected at its KEDPLASMA centers, from donors who have recovered from the virus and, upon receipt of regulatory approvals, will be responsible for commercialization of the product in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and South Korea. Kamada is responsible for product development, manufacturing, clinical development, with Kedrion’s support, and regulatory submissions. Kamada will also assume distribution responsibility in all territories outside of those Kedrion is responsible for. Marketing rights for the product in China will be shared by the parties.

The initial primary focus of the collaboration will be to provide the product as a treatment to patients in Italy, Israel and the U.S. through various clinical programs, while subsequently expanding development and commercialization efforts to additional markets.

“In light of the current global coronavirus outbreak, Kedrion and Kamada have quickly focused their efforts on developing and manufacturing a potentially safe and effective treatment,” said Paolo Marcucci, Chief Executive Officer of Kedrion.

“As previously reported, we initiated the development of an Anti-SARS-CoV-2 polyclonal immunoglobulin and intend to begin clinical manufacturing of the product shortly. I believe that the collaboration with Kedrion, a global leader in plasma collection and plasma-derived therapeutics, will allow us to speed up the development of the product and strengthen our international reach,” said Amir London, Kamada’s Chief Executive Officer.

This global collaboration expands the existing relationship between Kamada and Kedrion beyond KEDRAB, a plasma-derived FDA-approved human rabies immune globulin that was launched in the U.S. market in April 2018, based on a separate strategic supply and distribution agreement between the two companies.