Rheumatology

Prioritizing Reference Products Over Biosimilars Led to Millions in Missed Savings for Part D

April 20th 2022

By Skylar Jeremias

Medicare Part D plans missed out on between $84 million and $143 million in savings by not prioritizing the use of biosimilars over reference products, according to a report from the HHS Office of Inspector General.

Amgen Releases Positive Phase 3 Results for Stelara Biosimilar

April 19th 2022

By Skylar Jeremias

Article

A phase 3 study conducted by Amgen found that the company’s ustekinumab biosimilar was as safe and efficacious as the reference product (Stelara) in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Over 90% of Patients Preferred Biosimilar Delivery With Prefilled Pen vs Syringe

April 16th 2022

By Deana Ferreri, PhD

Article

A sub-study assessing the affects of using a prefilled pen vs a prefilled syringe found that the pen was easy for patients to use and was favored by over 90% of patients.

Expert Opinion: What Factors Will Have the Greatest Impact on US Adoption of Humira Biosimilars?

April 12th 2022

By Skylar Jeremias

Article

Jeffrey Casberg, vice president of pharmacy at IPD Analytics, weighs in on the factors he thinks will most affect market share among adalimumab biosimilars when they enter the US market in 2023.

Overseas Successes: Celltrion Launches in Canada, Wins Tender in Brazil

April 11th 2022

By Skylar Jeremias

Article

Republic of Korea-based Celltrion Healthcare launched its high-concentration adalimumab biosimilar in Canada and won several Brazilian tenders to supply its infliximab biosimilar.

Biosimilar Rheumatology Roundup: March 2022

March 31st 2022

By Skylar Jeremias

Article

During the month of March, rheumatology biosimilars have received a lot of praise in a regulatory, business, and legal sense, especially regarding the landmark settlement between Alvotech and AbbVie over an adalimumab biosimilar.

Review of Totality of Evidence for Infliximab Biosimilar ABP 710

March 30th 2022

By Deana Ferreri, PhD

Article

An article reviewed the totality of evidence leading to the approval of Amgen’s infliximab biosimilar ABP 710 (Avsola), which is currently approved in the US and Canada for all the indications of the originator (Remicade).

Case Study: Monitoring Needed for Patients With Both UC, AS Receiving Biosimilar Infliximab Treatment

March 22nd 2022

By Deana Ferreri, PhD

Article

A patient with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and ulcerative colitis (UC) was diagnosed with polychondritis after taking an infliximab biosimilar, suggesting that patients with similar circumstances should be carefully monitored.

China’s NMPA Grants Greater Access to Rheumatology Biosimilars

March 21st 2022

By Skylar Jeremias

Article

Since the start of 2022, China’s National Medicinal Products Administration (NMPA) has made strides to increase access to biosimilar products for various rheumatic conditions, including 3 biosimilar approvals and 1 biosimilar receiving an expanded indication.

Julie Reed on How the Biosimilars Forum Is Preparing for US Market Introduction of Adalimumab Biosimilar

March 13th 2022

By Skylar Jeremias

Video

Julie M. Reed, the new executive director of the Biosimilars Forum, shares how the Forum is preparing for the US market introduction of the first FDA-approved adalimumab biosimilars.