In an effort to “champion equitable access to medicine” Brazil and India have entered into a series of agreements to support Brazilian domestic manufacture of publicly funded oncology medicines.
On 21 February 2026, it was announced at the India-Brazil Business Forum in New Delhi that Brazil and India have entered into three “Productive Development Partnerships” (PDPs) to “leverage state purchasing power” and domestically manufacture “crucial” oncology medicines. Under the agreements, various oncological drugs, including biosimilars nivolumab and pertuzumab, will be produced in Brazil. The agreements involve Brazilian public institutions and private companies, including Indian companies, and foresee technology transfer and local production. The Brazilian Ministry of Health said that it estimates its investment will be up to US$140 million in the first year, potentially reaching US$ 1.9 billion over 10 years.
Brazilian manufacture is intended to reduce costs associated with importing complex biological compounds and to secure a steady and reliable supply that is less susceptible to international market fluctuations or logistical challenges.
Brazilian state-owned Bahiafarma will be involved in the production of both biosimilars. The nivolumab project will also involve Brazilian company Bionovis, and India’s Dr Reddy’s Laboratories. Pertuzumab will be produced with Bionovis and Biocon Biologics do Brasil.
In an addendum to the PDPs, Brazil and India have agreed to 5 years of further joint initiatives addressing vaccines and APIs across an array of health challenges (oncology, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and disease prevention) with a focus on “bio-manufacturing, biologics, health digitization, telemedicine solutions, and the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare.”
Biocon and Lupin have signed technology transfer agreements with Brazil’s public health research institute Fiocruz.
Dr Reddy’s has a nivolumab biosimilar under development, while Biocon Biologics has a pertuzumab biosimilar in its pipeline.