Biocon Limited announced the signing of a licensing agreement with Janssen Sciences Ireland. This agreement allows for the commercialization of Yesintek, the proposed biosimilar to Stelara (ustekinumab), in nine additional markets with immediate effect.
The Bengaluru-based pharmaceutical company can now market this drug in Australia, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, and Kazakhstan.
This deal complements previous agreements between Biocon and Janssen, which previously defined the timeline for Yesintek's entry into the US, as well as Europe, the UK, Canada, and Japan. Collectively, these agreements provide the biotechnology company access to most key markets for ustekinumab.
According to data provided by J&J, the global turnover of the Stelara brand, owned by the Janssen Johnson & Johnson division, reached $6.08 billion in 2025. Competition from biosimilars is leading to a decline in this brand's revenue as patents expire in various regions.
Biocon stated that the additional rights will allow it to offer patients with autoimmune diseases in these countries an 'affordable and effective treatment option.' Yesintek is an antagonist of human interleukins-12 and -23 and is approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis.
The company cautioned that the launch of the product in each country or region is still subject to regulatory approval. The statement did not disclose the financial terms, specific launch dates in the new markets, or the status of regulatory applications in these jurisdictions.