Business

During Q1 2025, pharmaceutical companies accelerated biosimilar expansion through strategic acquisitions and partnerships in hopes of boosting patient access to lower-cost treatments in immunology and oncology.

Biocon Biologics expands its oncology biosimilar roster after gaining FDA approval for Jobevne (bevacizumab-nwgd), the sixth biosimilar referencing Avastin (bevacizumab).

Teva and Samsung Bioepis have launched Epysqli, a cost-saving Soliris biosimilar, offering a 30% discount and new hope for patients with rare, life-threatening hematologic conditions.

Early market entry, manufacturing efficiency, and market share are critical to biosimilar development success, while technical complexity and competition heavily impact returns, according to a study presenting a risk-adjusted net present value (NPV) analysis framework.

Alvotech's 427% revenue surge in 2024—fueled by its biosimilar portfolio and global expansion—highlights the booming profitability of biosimilars despite financial hurdles.

Since the FDA’s groundbreaking approval of Zarxio in 2015, the US biosimilars market has surged to 67 approvals across 18 originators—though the journey has been anything but smooth, with adoption facing hurdles along the way.

The pharmaceutical landscape enters 2025 with a mix of challenges and opportunities, with the potential to shape the future of drug access and affordability for patients across the nation.

2025 marks a pivotal year for biosimilars with Amgen's Wezlana leading ustekinumab biosimilar launches, potentially driving savings and access, as highlighted by Dracey Poore, MS, of Cardinal Health.

Of the 118 biologics losing exclusivity over the next decade, only 10% have biosimilars in development, meaning a vast majority of biologics have no pipeline, which limits savings potential for the health care system.

Biosimilars have the potential to reduce health care costs and expand patient access, but economic and policy barriers affect adoption, explored James D. Chambers, PhD, MPharm, MSc, associate professor at the Tufts Medical Center Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, in an interview.

January 1 marks the launch of the first biosimilar referencing Stelara (ustekinumab) in the US, ushering in a new class of lower-cost medicines for patients with rheumatic and gastrointestinal conditions.

Three players in the biosimilar space have already sparked hope for the new year, with each having big business or regulatory announcements regarding new biosimilar products in Europe and Canada.

Korean drugmakers hold over 50% market share in the 6 best-selling biosimilar markets, 2 companies sign exclusive licensing partnership for a denosumab biosimilar, and 2 others join forces for an eculizumab biosimilar.

Alvotech and Advanz Pharma have submitted a European marketing application for their golimumab biosimilar to treat inflammatory diseases, while Celltrion secured Korean approval for denosumab biosimilars, and Intas Pharmaceuticals partnered with Xbrane Biopharma on a nivolumab biosimilar.

Researchers observe significant shifts in payer preferences for originator vs biosimilar products from 2017 to 2022, revealing growing payer interest in multiple product options, alongside the increasing market share of biosimilars, which contributed to notable reductions in both average sales prices and wholesale acquisition costs.

Few biologics in the US have multiple biosimilar competitors, but originator biologics respond quickly to competition by increasing rebates and lowering net prices, despite short approval-to-launch timelines for biosimilars.

Early adopters of biosimilars have paved the way for broader acceptance by sharing real-world success strategies, overcoming initial resistance, and highlighting best practices for integration and cost savings.

Biosimilars hold the potential to dramatically lower health care costs and improve access to life-changing treatments, but realizing this potential will require urgent policy reforms, market competition, and better education for both providers and patients.

A review article on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) outlined current use of anti-TNF originators and biosimilars, their efficacy and safety, the benefits and challenges of biosimilars, and the future of biosimilars in IBD.

For the first time, Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) has replaced Humira (reference adalimumab) as AbbVie’s sales driver, largely due to companies encouraging “product hopping” to avoid competition, creating concerns for the sustainability of the burgeoning adalimumab biosimilar market.

Henlius and Organon’s pertuzumab biosimilar met phase 3 goals; Meitheal expanded its US biosimilars; Celltrion’s subcutaneous infliximab (Zymfentra) showed monotherapy could be as effective as combination therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.

By expanding educational initiatives to clarify biosimilar safety, efficacy, and interchangeability, stakeholders can foster trust, improve access, and ensure that biosimilars are widely accepted as high-quality, cost-effective alternatives to originator biologics.

An IQVIA report highlights challenges to the sustainability of infused biosimilars in the US, citing rebate walls and reimbursement policies, and proposes key solutions to enhance adoption and benefits for all stakeholders.

Panelists emphasized the need for transparency and policy reforms in pharmacy benefit management (PBM) to improve accessibility, affordability, and fair competition for adalimumab biosimilars.

At the GRx+Biosims 2024 conference, a panel of industry experts and FDA officials discussed evolving device requirements for biosimilars and interchangeable biosimilars, highlighting new approaches to comparative use human factors studies, regulatory challenges, and alternative validation methods.

Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD, provides an overview of the current biosimilar education material offered by the FDA, emphasizing that manufacturer-developed materials aren't needed.

Regeneron appeals legal decision after judge refuses to block an aflibercept biosimilar; Prime Therapeutics, a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), becomes the latest to offer biosimilars referencing Humira (adalimumab) at a low cost; the FDA and European Medicines Agency accept a denosumab biosimilar candidate for review.

Blue Shield of California will offer an adalimumab biosimilar at a price that is 75% less than the reference product Humira for the monthly dose.

A report from Sandoz emphasizes the need for collaboration among stakeholders to eliminate drug shortages impacting over 90% of hospital systems in the US, recommending policy changes and actions to address the ongoing issue, which has caused treatment delays and increased costs.