Hikma and Celltrion Expand Biosimilar Reach Across MENA with New Licensing Deal

Editorial Team

Last updated 6-10-2025

3 min

Hikma Pharmaceuticals and Celltrion will enhance access to biosimilar medicines in MENA.

The new agreements could introduce six biosimilar treatments for conditions like cancer and immune disorders.

Hikma will manage commercialisation, while Celltrion handles development, manufacturing, and supply.

This partnership aims to make high-quality biologics more accessible to financially burdened patients.

Such collaborations highlight MENA's evolving pharmaceutical landscape and potential healthcare improvements.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals and South Korea’s Celltrion have decided to take their long-running partnership up a notch, joining forces again to expand access to biosimilar medicines across the Middle East and North Africa. The pair have inked a set of new exclusive licensing agreements that could see six biosimilar treatments introduced into the region, targeting conditions from immune disorders to cancer and allergic diseases.

For those who might not be familiar, biosimilars are essentially copycat versions of complex biological drugs—but without the hefty price tag. They’ve been changing the game in places where treatment costs have traditionally been out of reach. Hikma, which already has a decent foothold in the hospital channel, will handle commercialisation across all MENA markets, while Celltrion looks after the development, manufacturing and supply.

What caught my eye is that this isn’t just about expanding product lines or ticking boxes for growth—it’s a real bid to make high-quality biologics more accessible to patients who might otherwise miss out. I reckon that in a region where healthcare budgets vary wildly, this sort of move could make a world of difference. Still, let's be honest, execution will be key—dealing with multiple regulatory systems can be a bit of a faff.

Mazen Darwazah, Hikma’s Executive Vice Chairman and President of MENA, said the collaboration strengthens their mission to improve access to quality biosimilar treatments, noting the potential impact on patients living with chronic or life-threatening conditions. His words mirror Hikma’s wider ambition to become a top hospital player across the region, blending branded and generic medicines to serve both patients and health systems.

Hikma, which started more than four decades ago and is now headquartered in the UK, has steadily built a name for itself in making affordable medicines accessible to millions—from North America to Europe and, of course, MENA. Its biotech strategy, strengthened by this deal, shows just how much MENA’s pharma landscape is evolving. On the flip side, it also reflects how global players like Celltrion are viewing the region as a key growth market.

At Arageek, we’ve often seen how collaborations like this—where local expertise meets international R&D muscle—spark real momentum for better healthcare delivery. And believe it or not, these agreements could even reduce the burden on healthcare systems already stretched thin. I’m not a fan of corporate buzzwords, but if this move truly delivers broader patient access, it might be spot on.

One small thought before wrapping up: partnerships like this always remind me why MENA entrepreneurs, whether in healthtech or another field, should keep their eyes peeled for cross-border collaborations. They often open doors to innovation and impact that one side alone couldn’t achieve. Hikma and Celltrion’s latest agreement may well be a case in point—and I’m definatelly curious to see how it unfolds in the coming months.

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