Seoul: Samsung Bioepis Co., the biosimilar drug development arm of Samsung Group, announced its plans to introduce its ophthalmology biosimilar, Opuviz, to the United States market in 2027.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Opuviz is a biosimilar referencing Eylea, a successful drug developed by U.S.-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. The biosimilar received sales approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2024 and was launched in South Korea within the same year. Samsung Bioepis disclosed this information in a press release.

Samsung Bioepis encountered patent disputes in the U.S. with Regeneron and Germany's Bayer AG, which has exclusive sales rights for Eylea outside the U.S., as confirmed by a company spokesperson. The company recently concluded separate licensing agreements with Regeneron and Bayer, facilitating the path for Opuviz's global market commercialization.

The licensing agreement allows Samsung Bioepis to launch Opuviz in Britain from January and in additional European countries starting in April. The global sales of Eylea reached 14 trillion won (US$9.6 billion) in 2024, with 9 trillion won accounted for in the U.S. market.