Terumo’s PLAJEX Enters US Markets by Receiving GMP Certification from FDA to Manufacture Biosimilar Hulio

TOKYO, JAPAN – August 3, 2020 – Terumo Corporation (TSE: 4543) announced that its affiliate company Terumo Yamaguchi D&D Corporation has received Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in regards to a biosimilar product Terumo will manufacture on contract.

The GMP certification ensures the manufacturing processes and quality management systems at the manufacturing facility meet adequate regulation standards. Terumo Yamaguchi D&D will manufacture Hulio^® (adalimumab-fkjp), a biosimilar to AbbVie’s Humira^® (adalimumab). The drug is developed and owned by Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics Co., Ltd and it has received FDA approval this July.

Hulio will be used for the treatment of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics tied partnership with Mylan N.V., for the commercialization of Hulio in the European markets in 2018. In June 2020, the product also received approval for commercialization in Japan. Followed by the latest US approval, Mylan will prepare for launch of Hulio in the US during 2023.

Hulio is filled in Terumo’s pre-fillable polymer syringe PLAJEX™. Biopharmaceuticals are composed of proteins as active ingredients; therefore, the drug is highly sensitive to impurities, temperature, light and other external factors. The unique material used in PLAJEX is expected to reduce drug absorption risks and impurity dissolution. Tetsuya Kumei, Division President, the Alliance Division, General Hospital Company of Terumo comments, “PLAJEX is a one of a kind syringe, and is used in various products available on the market today. However, we are excited to announce for the first time that a product filled in PLAJEX has been approved for the US market”.

Terumo will continue to build strong alliances with pharmaceutical companies and contribute to better healthcare.