Hospira, Celltrion, Enter Business Cooperation Agreement to Develop and Market Biogen...( LAKE FOREST Ill. Oct. 8 /- Hospira In...),Health

LAKE FOREST, Ill., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hospira, Inc. (NYSE: HSP), the world leader in generic injectable pharmaceuticals, today signed a Business Cooperation Agreement with South Korea-based Celltrion, Inc. and Celltrion Healthcare, Inc. ("Celltrion"), which outlines the business terms of a future distribution agreement for the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada for eight biogeneric products that are currently under development by Celltrion, five of which are incremental to Hospira's pipeline. Under the distribution agreement, the parties would collaborate on manufacturing and supply of the products. After regulatory approval, Hospira and Celltrion would co-exclusively market the drugs, with the products independently commercialized under each party's brand name.

"Celltrion brings a history of expertise in the manufacturing of protein-based therapeutics," said Christopher B. Begley, chairman and chief executive officer, Hospira. "This partnership gives Hospira access to Celltrion's large biogenerics portfolio, and is an excellent example of Hospira's commitment to organic and inorganic growth. We're excited to work with Celltrion, and we look forward to expanding Hospira's presence in these significant biogenerics markets."

"Hospira is the world leader in generic injectable pharmaceuticals and has the capabilities and experience to successfully sell biogenerics in these important markets," said Jung-Sin Seo, CEO and chairman, Celltrion Healthcare, Inc. and Celltrion, Inc. "We believe this partnership will benefit both companies by combining Hospira's broad outreach with Celltrion's advanced biologic manufacturing capabilities."

Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. The Business Cooperation Agreement signed today is expected to lead to a final agreement in the comin
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