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Biosimilars Lead to Sales Declines, New Opportunities for Amgen
The fourth-quarter and full-year 2017 earnings report from Amgen highlights the fact that biosimilars can be both a challenge and an opportunity for drug makers whose innovator products face biosimilar competition and who develop biosimilar products of their own.
The fourth-quarter and full-year 2017 earnings report from Amgen highlights the fact that biosimilars can be both a challenge and an opportunity for drug makers whose innovator products face biosimilar competition and who develop biosimilar products of their own.
Filgrastim Sales Decline After Biosimilar Competition
Fourth-quarter sales of Neupogen (filgrastim) declined 27% year-over-year and 9% quarter-over-quarter, with unit declines of the innovator drug driven by competition from biosimilar therapies, including Sandoz’s Zarxio in the United States. Neupogen now holds approximately a 40% unit share of filgrastim in the US marketplace.
Sales of Amgen’s pegfilgrastim, Neulasta, were flat year-over-year, and sales of the drug’s Onpro presentation (an on-body injector) accounted for slightly more than 60% of pegfilgrastim sales. Amgen says that it expects the drug to see a slow decline as myelosuppressive chemotherapy regimens give way to newer immunotherapies, but did not name the threat of biosimilar competition as a concern.
Oncoming Biosimilar Challenge to Aranesp
Amgen also saw fourth-quarter sales of its Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) decline by 7% year-over-year, and 5% quarter-over-quarter, with lower unit demand for the drug playing a role in this sales slowdown. Amgen says that it is closely monitoring both emerging long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, which could compete with Aranesp for market share, as well as the potential for a short-acting biosimilar to be launched in the United States.
Oncology and Rheumatology Biosimilars Ahead
Looking ahead, Amgen sees room for biosimilars to boost its business, especially with its upcoming 2018 launch of Amjevita, a biosimilar adalimumab, in the European Union. Also ahead—though no date has yet been announced—is the launch of Mvasi, a biosimilar bevacizumab that has been approved in the United States and the European Union.
Finally, Amgen expects to announce data from a phase 3 study of its proposed infliximab biosimilar, ABP 710, in the second half of 2018, and the drug maker also anticipates approval of its Biologics License Application for ABP 980, a proposed trastuzumab biosimilar, which has a Biosimilar User Fee Act target action date of May 28, 2018.
Biosimilars in America: Overcoming Barriers and Maximizing Impact
July 21st 2024Join us as we explore the complexities of the US biosimilars market, discussing legislative influences, payer and provider adoption factors, and strategies to overcome industry challenges with expert insights from Kyle Noonan, PharmD, MS, value & access strategy manager at Cencora.
AAM Report: Despite Massive Savings, Patient OOP Costs on Biosimilars, Generics Remain High, Part 2
September 24th 2024Part 2 of our series diving into the Association for Accessible Medicines' (AAM) latest report discusses that while generics and biosimilars saved $445 billion in 2023, their potential is hindered by high patient costs, drug shortages, and ineffective policies, underscoring the need for reforms to fully realize their benefits.
Exploring the Biosimilar Horizon: Julie Reed's Predictions for 2024
February 18th 2024On this episode of Not So Different, Julie Reed, executive director of the Biosimilars Forum, returns to discuss her predictions for the biosimilar industry for 2024 and beyond as well as the impact that the Forum's 4 new members will have on the organization's mission.
AAM Report: Generics and Biosimilars Savings Reach $445 Billion in 2023, Part 1
September 18th 2024Savings from generic and biosimilar drugs totaled $445 billion in 2023, showing promise for the growth of both markets and highlighting the success of expansion policies for these products, according to a new report from the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM).
