Hikma has agreed to acquire US sterile injectables specialist Custopharm in a deal that includes a $375m upfront purchase price and a further $50m in milestone payments. The transaction is set to bolster Hikma’s near-$1bn injectables business that currently accounts for around two-fifths of turnover.

Partners will share development and commercial rights to up to three ISAC products for cancer. Wockhardt licenses China rights for novel antibiotic to Jiangsu Jemincare.

Hikma told Generics Bulletin earlier this year it was reevaluating the US biosimilars market after witnessing successful launches from several of its rivals. Now the London-based firm has signed an agreement in the US to license and commercialize Bio-Thera Solutions’ Stelara biosimilar candidate.

A complete response letter from the FDA has dashed Sesen Bio’s hopes of being first with a therapy for treating BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Its CEO says the FDA’s move may reflect heightened ‘pressure’ regulator is under.