Diabetes

Amid Outcry Over High Costs, Eli Lilly Launches Lower-Priced Insulin Lispro

May 23rd 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Eli Lilly and Company announced this week that it has made a lower-cost insulin lispro injection available in pharmacies. The company said that the authorized version carries a list price ($137.35 per vial and $265.20 for a package of 5 pens) that is 50% lower than that of the brand-name Humalog injection.

FDA Hears From Stakeholders About Insulin Transition to Biologic Pathway in 2020

May 14th 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

Set against a backdrop of rising concern about the cost of insulin, the FDA held a hearing about biosimilar insulins Monday, 10 months before the products transition in March 2020 from the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act to biologics under the Public Health Service Act.

Chinese Study Finds Patients Taking Reference Insulin Glargine Had Better Glycemic Control

May 2nd 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

While a study in healthy volunteers demonstrated bioequivalence of the 2 insulin products, to date, few direct comparisons of the biosimilar and the innovator have been available. A new study compared the efficacy and safety of treatment with each of the products in a retrospective analysis of hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes and found that the reference insulin provided better fasting glycemic control than the biosimilar.

Experience With Basaglar Shows How Biosimilars Can Save on Insulin Costs, Research Letter Says

March 27th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

This week, a research letter published in JAMA gives some insight into how biosimilars of long-acting insulins could impact the cost of insulin therapy for patients with diabetes.

Eli Lilly Launching Lower-Priced Authorized Generic of Its Insulin Lispro

March 4th 2019

By Allison Inserro

Article

Eli Lilly and Company said Monday it is introducing a lower-priced authorized generic of its insulin lispro injection (Humalog) in the United States. The generic will have a list price 50% lower than the current Humalog list price.

Pfenex and Alvogen to Partner on Teriparatide Follow-on

March 1st 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

Pfenex and Alvogen announced this week that they have entered into agreements to develop and commercialize PF708, a follow-on teriparatide product referencing Forteo, for the treatment of osteoporosis, in the European Union, some countries in the Middle East and North Africa, and other territories.

Eli Lilly Hints That It May Pursue "Branded Biosimilars" of Its Own Products

February 18th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

The comment period has recently closed for the FDA’s proposed approach to the transition of insulins and other products that have historically been regulated as drugs and follow-ons to regulation as biologics and biosimilars, and among the comments from stakeholders is a suggestion that one drug maker may be interested in selling biosimilars of its own products.

High Costs Drive 1 in 4 Patients With Diabetes to Use Too Little Insulin

December 27th 2018

By Kelly Davio

Article

Despite the fact that the World Health Organization classifies insulin as an essential medicine that should be available at all times at a price that patients can afford, US insulin prices have continued to climb in recent years.

Sandoz to Partner With Gan and Lee to Commercialize Biosimilar Insulins in the US and Abroad

December 20th 2018

By Kelly Davio

Article

Sandoz has entered into an agreement with Chinese drug maker Gan and Lee to commercialize biosimilar insulins to treat patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Mylan, Biocon Launch Insulin Glargine Biosimilar in the United Kingdom

November 23rd 2018

By Samantha DiGrande

Article

Mylan and Biocon jointly announced earlier this month that their biosimilar insulin glargine, sold as Semglee and referencing Lantus, has launched in the United Kingdom.