Biocon has entered a partnership with Tabuk Pharmaceuticals for the commercialisation of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) products in the Middle East.

The collaboration aims to provide products for diabetes and chronic weight management in select countries within the region.

Biocon will develop and manufacture these GLP-1 products.

Biocon CEO and managing director Siddharth Mittal stated: “I am pleased to expand our partnership with Tabuk Pharmaceuticals, which paves the way for our vertically integrated, complex GLP-1 formulations entry into Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.”

Tabuk Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Astra Industrial Group, will own marketing authorisation rights for the products.

The company will also be responsible for their registration, importation and promotion.

The partnership includes provisions for expanding the agreement to cover additional GLP products.

An option for a technology transfer could enable local manufacturing in the future.

Tabuk Pharmaceuticals CEO Ismail Shehadah stated: “We are confident that this partnership supports our efforts to manufacture and localise a range of GLP-1 products in the region and strengthen our market-leading position in the area of diabetes medications, in line with our strategy.

“This also stands as a commitment from our side to support the 2030 vision of Saudi Arabia through localising speciality pharmaceutical products in the Kingdom.”

GLP-1 medications lower blood sugar levels and aid in weight loss. They function as physiological hormones that regulate glucose through GLP-1 receptors, enhancing insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon production.

The hormones also slow gastric emptying and reduce food intake, which helps maximise nutrient absorption while controlling weight.

Biocon Biologics, a subsidiary of Biocon, successfully integrated the biosimilars business of Viatris in 31 European countries, in December 2023.