The First "Mab" Biotech Pharmaceutical to be Locally Manufactured in Türkiye Will Bear the Mark of AbdiBio from the Cellular Level

ANOTHER FIRST FROM ABDİ İBRAHİM

Abdi İbrahim, the leader in the Turkish pharmaceutical industry for 21 years, continues its unwavering commitment to investing in biotechnology. Abdi İbrahim has announced a technology transfer agreement with the Spanish biosimilar developer, mAbxience, which is among the world’s leading companies in the field.

Accordingly, a currently imported cancer drug will now be manufactured by AbdiBio. Nezih Barut, Chairman of Abdi İbrahim, noted the technology transfer’s significance as the first “cell-to-end product” biotech pharmaceutical in Türkiye.

Barut said; “With AbdiBio, the largest biotech pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Türkiye, our goal is to make our mark in local and international markets alike. With this agreement, Abdi İbrahim’s ambition to become a leader in the biotechnology field takes a critical step forward, as we will now be able to locally produce from the cellular level (Drug Substance) a cancer drug that Türkiye has previously been importing.”

Türkiye’s healing power, Abdi İbrahim has achieved another key milestone in the field of biotechnology. With the technology transfer agreement signed with mAbxience, a world-leading biosimilar developer based in Spain and a licensing partner of Abdi İbrahim, the production of a cancer drug currently available only through imports will now be conducted at AbdiBio.

The technology transfer will enable the production of a drug used in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and cervical cancer as well as the most common and difficult-to-treat type of brain tumour, glioblastoma multiforme. This is unprecedented in Türkiye's biotechnology sector, as it involves the entire process from “cell-to-end product.” In other words, the production of the monoclonal antibody (mab), is a pioneering achievement in biotechnology for Türkiye. Abdi İbrahim will localize all stages of the production of this bio-product, which has a critical role in treatment. This will not only contribute to the Turkish economy but also facilitate patient access to medication by overcoming the supply issues often associated with imported products. The technology transfer activities to enable local production are set to commence in 2024, with the product slated for introduction to the Turkish market by mid-2026.

A defining moment in Abdi İbrahim’s biotech vision

Nezih Barut, Chairman of Abdi İbrahim, emphasized the significance of this agreement by stating, “Our licensing partnership with mAbxience, a company whose products are used in over 100 countries worldwide, has been ongoing since 2012. The most critical phase in biotechnology products is the process of obtaining protein from cells. With this technology transfer, we will be manufacturing the protein ourselves, thus localizing every phase of a biotechnology drug. The capability of production from the cell onwards is a crucial step because it reduces foreign dependency in pharmaceutical raw materials and drug substance contributing positively to the country's economy. This agreement represents a pivotal turning point for both the Turkish pharmaceutical industry and Abdi İbrahim’s quest to become a leading brand in biotechnology.”

Reduced dependency on imports and better access to medication.

Nezih Barut continued, “AbdiBio has a team of world-class experts in industrial biotechnology production. As the largest biotech pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in our country, AbdiBio adheres to global standards in its production, through which it aims not only to serve the local market but also to establish a robust presence in international markets. Therefore, this agreement is a key milestone for our endeavors. Imported drugs, which constitute only 10 percent of unit volume, account for a substantial 45 percent of the total value in the Turkish pharmaceutical market. Imported biotech pharmaceuticals, in particular, represent 37 percent of all imported pharmaceuticals. Türkiye spends approximately TRY 18 billion on imported biotech pharmaceuticals. Thanks to the “cell-to-end product” approach in the technology transfer agreement, which is the first for ‘mab’ products, we anticipate a substantial reduction in the imports of this cancer medication, thus making it more accessible to patients. Abdi İbrahim will continue to break new ground in our journey to heal the future and life.”

Jurgen Van Broeck, Global Commercial Director of mAbxience, claimed, "This partnership with Abdi İbrahim is a testament to our commitment to extending our advanced biotechnological expertise globally. Our collaborative efforts in this technology transfer signify a major leap in biopharmaceutical production capabilities. mAbxience's expertise in CDMO and its comprehensive capabilities, including cell line development, process development, and large-scale manufacturing, play a crucial role in this partnership. With GMP-approved facilities in Europe and South America, mAbxience is at the forefront of delivering integrated biomanufacturing solutions globally. We are excited to bring this level of innovation and self-sufficiency in biopharmaceuticals to Türkiye. This agreement is not just about technology transfer; it's about shaping the future of global healthcare."