Biocon Gains Yesintek Biosimilar Access in Nine Markets
The company expands its autoimmune drug portfolio to challenge the $6.08 billion Stelara market across new international regions.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Biotech
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Biocon has secured authorization to commercialize its Yesintek biosimilar across nine international markets, including Brazil, China, and South Korea. The drug, a proposed biosimilar to the autoimmune treatment Stelara, will be brought to market following a new licensing agreement with Janssen Sciences Ireland.
Why it matters
This expansion broadens global access to treatment options for autoimmune conditions like Crohn's disease and plaque psoriasis. It marks a strategic move for Biocon to compete in the multibillion-dollar market currently held by the reference biologic Stelara.
Yesintek functions as a human interleukin-12 and -23 antagonist to address autoimmune symptoms. The reference drug Stelara generated $6.08 billion in global sales during 2025, providing the benchmark for this biosimilar entry.
The players
Biocon
An international biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and manufacturing of biosimilars and complex generic drugs.
Janssen Sciences Ireland
A division of the global Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical arm, responsible for the development of high-value biologic therapies.
The details
Yesintek is a biosimilar designed to mimic the therapeutic action of Stelara by targeting interleukin-12 and -23, which are pro-inflammatory proteins involved in immune response. By inhibiting these cytokines, the treatment reduces the underlying immune system overactivity present in conditions like ulcerative colitis and psoriatic arthritis. Biocon gained these rights through a licensing agreement with Janssen Sciences Ireland to enable immediate commercialization efforts.
Timeline
2025: Stelara achieved $6.08 billion in global sales.
October 26, 2026: Biocon announced the expanded market access for Yesintek.
The Tech Race
Biocon is accelerating its international footprint to capture share from Stelara, a blockbuster biologic that remains a standard in autoimmune care. This move follows a period of share price volatility for the company, down 16.6% year-to-date, as it seeks to diversify its revenue through biosimilar volume.
Patients with autoimmune diseases in these nine markets gain a new, alternative treatment option once local distribution channels are activated. Pricing and availability will depend on local regulatory approvals and the specific rollout strategy Biocon pursues in each territory.
The takeaway
Biocon is pivoting toward high-value biosimilars to stabilize its market position against established biologic incumbents. Stakeholders should track local product launches in Australia and Brazil to gauge the effectiveness of this global distribution strategy.
Further reading
Explore more analysis on global therapeutic development at Biotech.
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