Rheumatology

The widespread adoption of telemedicine during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as well as reimbursement parity that was enacted by CMS, should be continued once the public health emergency passes, according to a new position statement by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

Japanese authorities have given marketing approval for the first adalimumab biosimilar in that country.

A new scorecard system developed by IQVIA rates the health and sustainability of biosimilars markets across Europe.

In surveys conducted in February and March 2020, rheumatologists cited low adoption rates of biosimilars by payers and unfavorable discounts as major reasons why they feel uncomfortable switching prescribing patterns from reference products to biosimilars.

The US Oncology Network is pushing to get more biosimilars into utilization, Robert M. Rifkin, MD, told The Center for Biosimilars® in an interview.

Based on clinical studies on dosing, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics, European authorities have recommended Celltrion's subcutaneous infliximab biosimilar (Remsima SC) for 5 new indications.

HLX14, a denosumab biosimilar targeted for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in patients with a high risk of fractures, was approved by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).

The UK results show how challenging switching to a biosimilar can be, according to patient groups.

Studies on switching and retention for adalimumab and etanercept biosimilars yielded positive data, according to abstracts presented at the EULAR 2020 Congress.

A study presented at the European League Against Rheumatism conference suggested that French rheumatologists have good knowledge of biosimilars but lack the confidence to use them.

Following in the footsteps of British Columbia, other Canadian provinces are working to implement their own biosimilars initiatives that would switch patients from some of the most costly reference biologics to biosimilar counterparts.

The infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 delivered positive results in studies presented at the European League Against Rheumatism's European E-Congress of Rheumatology 2020.

In search of effective treatments for patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), investigators will test an infliximab biosimilar (Remsima, CT-P13). They believe it may help to control cytokine release syndrome, which is associated with COVID-19.

Mylan and Lupin have received market authorization for their etanercept biosimilar (Nepexto, YLB113) in Europe for all indications of the reference product.

Clinical trials leading up to biosimilar approval may not reveal the full safety and efficacy profile of biosimilars vs reference products, and postmarketing studies may be essential to elucidate any differences, investigators said.

The rituximab biosimilar candidate ABP 798 met primary and secondary end points for safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity in a study presented at ASCO20 Virtual, the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Fresenius Kabi has tapped pharmaceuticals distribution company medac to amplify sales of its pegfilgrastim biosimilar in Germany.

Daewon Pharmaceutical has launched Terrosa, a teriparatide biosimilar, on the Republic of Korea market, after signing a domestic sales agreement with Richter-Helm Biotec. The drug is intended for the treatment of osteoporosis.

A study of coverage decisions by some of the nation’s largest payers indicates biosimilars get preferred status just 14% of the time.

Fresenius Kabi’s pegfilgrastim biosimilar candidate has demonstrated a similar safety and immunogenicity profile to the reference product (Neulasta).

Taiwan-based JHL Biotech said it has initiated a phase 1 clinical trial of its denosumab biosimilar candidate for bone loss.

If it has strong intentions to develop the IL-23 agent brazikumab for commercialization, AstraZeneca did not show its hand when it acknowledged receipt of the agent from Allergan last week.

Icelandic company Alvotech said clinical trials for its adalimumab candidate have demonstrated equivalence to reference product Humira.

Celltrion is pinning its hopes on a higher-concentration formulation of adalimumab to gain elbow room among multiple competing products.

German biopharmaceutical company Formycon has postponed its annual meeting due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Coherus Biosciences, of Redwood City, California, sees continued profitability, thanks largely to sales of its pegfilgrastim biosimilar, Udenyca, launched in January 2019.

The Federal Trade Commission was deeply divided over whether the AbbVie-Allergan $63 billion merger plan would allow for a sufficiently competitive marketplace.

Interest in tocilizumab has grown lately as Roche has a clinical trial underway to evaluate efficacy in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related pneumonia.

Although Pfizer has offered a more attractive discount for its rituximab biosimilar, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Celltrion Healthcare have decided not to match that discount for their own rituximab biosimilar, which is more costly.

A New Zealand study of patients with rheumatic conditions suggests that providers need to be mindful of patient attitudes toward biosimilars to prevent biased therapy choices and poor outcomes.