As more health systems seek to make use of the cost savings associated with biosimilars, data continue to accrue to support switching patients to these products. One recent paper, published in The Journal of Clinical Medicine, reported that, after a switch from reference infliximab to biosimilar CT-P13 (Inflectra, Remsima), patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who switched to the biosimilar remained in remission at 18 months post-switch.
As more health systems seek to make use of the cost savings associated with biosimilars, data continue to accrue to support switching patients to these products. One recent paper, published in The Journal of Clinical Medicine, reported that, after a switch from reference infliximab to biosimilar CT-P13 (Inflectra, Remsima), patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who switched to the biosimilar remained in remission at 18 months post-switch.
The study, conducted at a single center in Greece, included 88 infliximab-treated patients with AS who were in clinical remission. All patients were naïve to previous biologics before starting infliximab, and all were provided with education about the switch. In total, 45 patients were switched to the biosimilar, while 43 patients continued to receive the reference infliximab. Clinical, laboratory, and demographic parameters were similar between the 2 groups.
At the end of the 18 months of follow-up, write the investigators, all patients in both groups remained in clinical remission as determined by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Score using C-reactive protein, and no significant adverse events or comorbidities were observed in either group.
In total, 4 patients who had switched to the biosimilar reported what the investigators call “subjective complaints,” including somnolence and headache. These patients were deemed to have nocebo effects and were switched back to the reference, and 1 was switched to a different agent, all with good results. In the reference group, 2 patients had respiratory tract infections and 1 patient experience a disease flare. These patients were also switched to a different agent and had good results.
“Our findings are in line with the PLANETAS study despite the fact that they used different tools in assessing disease activity,” write the authors, who add that the success of the switch may be linked with patient education and its ability to reduce the nocebo effect.
While the study is limited by the small number of patients, it offers, according to the authors, the longest comparative data on a switch to biosimilar infliximab in patients with AS.
Reference
Kaltsonoudis, Pelechas E, Voulgari PV, Drososo AA. Maintained clinical remission in ankylosing spondylitis patients switched from reference infliximab to its biosimilar: an 18-month comparative open-label study [published online July 2, 2019]. J Clin Med.
Etanercept Biosimilar Switch Shows Stable Outcomes and Disease Control in RA
May 13th 2025Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who switched from Enbrel (reference etanercept) to a biosimilar maintained remission, even after their dose was reduced, with no signs of worsening based on clinical scores, ultrasound scans, or lab tests, according to a new study.
How AI Can Help Address Cost-Related Nonadherence to Biologic, Biosimilar Treatment
March 9th 2025Despite saving billions, biosimilars still account for only a small share of the biologics market—what's standing in the way of broader adoption and how can artificial intelligence (AI) help change that?
Samsung Bioepis Report Signals Turning Point for US Biosimilars
May 1st 2025A wave of biosimilar approvals, aggressive pricing strategies, and a regulatory sea change are setting the stage for unprecedented momentum in the US biologics market, with 2025 already proving to be a landmark year in reshaping cost, access, and innovation across therapeutic areas.
Will the FTC Be More PBM-Friendly Under a Second Trump Administration?
February 23rd 2025On this episode of Not So Different, we explore the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) second interim report on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) with Joe Wisniewski from Turquoise Health, discussing key issues like preferential reimbursement, drug pricing transparency, biosimilars, shifting regulations, and how a second Trump administration could reshape PBM practices.
Eye on Pharma: Sandoz Files Antitrust Suit; Yuflyma Interchangeability; Costco’s Ustekinumab Pick
April 22nd 2025Sandoz's antitrust suit against Amgen, the FDA’s interchangeability designation for Celltrion’s adalimumab biosimilar, and the inclusion of an ustekinumab biosimilar in Costco’s prescription program highlight growing momentum to expand biosimilar access and affordability for patients with chronic inflammatory diseases.
How State Substitution Laws Shape Insulin Biosimilar Adoption
April 15th 2025States with fewer restrictions on biosimilar substitution tend to see higher uptake of interchangeable insulin glargine, showing how even small policy details can significantly influence biosimilar adoption and expand access to more affordable insulin.