Business

The Top 5 Biosimilars Articles for the Week of November 4

November 8th 2019

The Center for Biosimilars® recaps the top stories for the week of November 4, 2019.

First Rituximab Biosimilar, Truxima, Launches in the United States

November 7th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Teva and Celltrion have announced the launch of their biosimilar rituximab, Truxima, in the United States. The product is being offered at a 10% discount to the list price of reference product, Rituxan. The product will begin to reach patients on November 11.

Coherus Secures Ranibizumab Biosimilar; Celltrion to Launch 1 Product Per Year; Bio-Thera Gaines Chinese Approval; Alvotech Forms Partnership

November 7th 2019

By Kelly Davio

This week, multiple biosimilar developers announced major moves forward for their businesses, with Coherus BioSciences making a new acquisition, Celltrion reporting continued growth for its business, Bio-Thera Solutions gaining the first-ever approval of an adalimumab biosimilar from China’s National Medical Products Administration, and Alvotech and Stada entering into a 7-biosimilar partnership in Europe.

Samsung Bioepis Inks Commercialization Agreement for Its Next Wave of Biosimilars

November 6th 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Samsung Bioepis announced Wednesday that it has entered into a new commercialization agreement with partner Biogen for 2 ophthalmology biosimilars that are currently in development.

Biocon Receives EIR, Says It Plans to Launch Biosimilar Trastuzumab, Ogivri, in the US "Soon"

November 6th 2019

By Kelly Davio

The FDA has issued an establishment inspection report (EIR) for Biocon’s Bengaluru facility, where the drug maker manufactures biosimilars, and the FDA’s inspection of the facility, which took place during August 2019, is now closed.

Studies Give a Window Into the Evolving French Biosimilars Market

November 6th 2019

By Kelly Davio

France has experimented with financial incentives to reward the prescribing of biosimilars. These incentive structures include shared savings for centers that acquire medicines at lower costs, as well as biosimilar prescribing targets.

Study Examines Uptake, Costs in Filgrastims After Biosimilar Introduction

November 5th 2019

By Allison Inserro

The biggest cost difference in filgrastim administrations was seen in the commercially insured population after the launch of a biosimilar, according to a study published Monday in Health Affairs.

UnitedHealthcare Patients Will Switch to Biosimilar Epoetin Alfa in 2020

November 4th 2019

By Kelly Davio

UnitedHealthcare has revised its community and commercial plans’ coverage of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Effective January 1, 2020, patients who are receiving the reference epoetin alfa, Epogen or Procrit, will be required to switch to Pfizer’s biosimilar, Retacrit.

Research Letter Suggests That Off-label Use May Be Boosting Eculizumab Sales

November 2nd 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

In a research letter appearing this week in JAMA Internal Medicine, authors from Oregon Health and Science University raised the question of whether the “large and increasing revenue from eculizumab” could be tied to off-label use for non-approved indications.

AbbVie's International Humira Revenues Drop 33.5% After Biosimilar Competition

November 1st 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

In its third quarter 2019 financial results, AbbVie, maker of the blockbuster Humira, said that its international revenues for the brand-name adalimumab were $1.049 billion, or a decrease of 33.5% on a reported basis, after having faced competition from biosimilars.