Rheumatology

A recently published study found that the auto-injector device used to deliver a biosimilar etanercept was preferable to the auto-injector device used to deliver reference etanercept (Enbrel) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthcare providers who treat patients with RA.

Cost-effectiveness evidence has come to play a prominent role in decisions regarding the approval of expensive biologic treatments, such as those for psoriatic arthritis (PA). However, cost-effectiveness evidence for PA treatments has been difficult to develop because of the lack of a robust evidence base.

Coherus BioSciences today announced positive topline results for the first of 3 pharmacokinetic bioequivalence studies comparing CHS-1420, an adalimumab biosimilar candidate, and European-sourced reference Humira.

The approval for adalimumab-adbm comes a year after the first adalimumab biosimilar, by Amgen, was approved in September of 2016.

Samsung Bioepis, a joint venture between Samsung Biologics and Biogen, announced that it has received the European Commission’s (EC) approval for its adalimumab biosimilar (Imraldi), referenced on AbbVie’s blockbuster Humira.

Marcus H. Snow, MD, Assistant Professor Rheumatology, University of Nebraska, discusses the recent launch of a new biosimilar infliximab, Renflexis, in the United States.

In 2014, Germany had the highest use of biosimilars in Europe, with around 50% volume uptake. Yet data found that German patients have shown some reluctance to accept biosimilars.

Marcus H. Snow, MD, Assistant Professor of Rheumatology, University of Nebraska, discusses the use of biosimilar treatments in children.

July was a busy month for biosimilars targeting rheumatology indications; this month saw a product launch, developments in the legal realm, new clinical data, and prospective changes to Medicare reimbursement.

The American College of Rheumatology has issued a response to CMS’ 2018 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, which was issued earlier this month.

A survey and drug utilization analysis conducted among UK healthcare professionals found that 75% of respondents were aware that biosimilars were available on their local formularies, and 77% considered biosimilars to be either extremely or very important to save costs for the National Health Service.