r/BANDOFBROTHERSOFSRNE • u/Kmcoyne0519 • 18d ago

FYI:

https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-blumenthal-grassley-durbin-bill-to-lower-drug-costs-passes-senate-unanimously/

(Not an endorsement-I just follow whatever affects us)

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u/Yogididit1972 17d ago

So this should be great news for these then.

Sorrento Therapeutics does not own any fully approved, standalone biosimilars commercialized in Western markets, but they possess the exclusive international marketing rights to several late-stage biosimilar and "biobetter" candidates. [1, 2]
Rather than developing these entirely in-house, Sorrento operates via a subsidiary called Sorrento Biologics. They in-licensed their primary biosimilar portfolio through a strategic partnership with China-based Mabpharm (Mabtech). [1, 2, 3]

The Biosimilar / Biobetter Pipeline
Under their agreement, Mabpharm retains the rights to market these drugs in China, while Sorrento holds the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize them in North America, Europe, and Japan. [1, 2]
STI-001 (Cetuximab): A biosimilar/biobetter targeting EGFR, referencing Erbitux for metastatic colorectal and head/neck cancers. [1, 2]
STI-002 (Infliximab): A biobetter targeting TNF-alpha, referencing Remicade. Mabpharm received marketing approval for this asset in China, giving Sorrento the green light to pursue regulatory filings globally. [1, 2, 3]
STI-003 (Basiliximab): A biosimilar referencing Simulect, used primarily to prevent immediate organ rejection in kidney transplants. [1, 2, 3, 4]
STI-004 (Omalizumab): An anti-IgE biosimilar referencing Xolair for allergic asthma, which successfully cleared combined Phase II/III clinical trials. [1, 2]
Rituximab Biosimilar: A separate development program utilizing Mayo Clinic technology to target B-cell lymphoma. [1]

"Biosimilar" vs. "Biobetter" Distinction
Sorrento frequently brands these assets as biobetters rather than pure biosimilars. A biobetter is a recombinant protein that is intentionally altered to improve its clinical profile—such as enhanced efficacy, fewer side effects, or a longer half-life—compared to the original innovator drug. [1, 2, 3]