India-based life-sciences company Zydus Lifesciences Limited announced on Tuesday that its wholly owned subsidiary, Zydus Lifesciences Global FZE, United Arab Emirates, has entered into a strategic partnership with Formycon AG (FSE: FYB), a biosimilar developer based in Germany.

The agreement covers the exclusive licensing and supply of checkpoint inhibitor FYB206, a biosimilar of Keytruda (pembrolizumab), in the USA and Canada market.

Formycon will develop, register, produce and supply the product, while Zydus Lifesciences Global FZE, United Arab Emirates, will be responsible for the commercialisation of FYB206 in the defined territories.

The BLA application is expected to be submitted to the US FDA soon and is aimed at making immunotherapy affordable and accessible to patients in need.