Rheumatology

Biosimilar Business News Roundup: Russia Launches Omalizumab; Remsima Sales Soar; Xbrane Trial Results

February 16th 2022

By Skylar Jeremias

Selexis and Generium launched an omalizumab biosimilar on the Russian market; Remsima sales hit a record high for Celltrion Healthcare; Xbrane Biopharma shares long-term results for its ranibizumab biosimilar.

In Iceland, Switch to Adalimumab Biosimilar Reveals Issues With Injection Device

February 15th 2022

By Mary Caffrey

Iceland’s national health plan required patients to switch from Humira to the Samsung Bioepis biosimilar, Imraldi, which had a different injection device and contained citrate, a chemical buffer used to maintain the medication’s stability.

A 2021 Recap of Biosimilars: Approvals, Legislation, and What’s to Come

February 14th 2022

By Skylar Jeremias

The year 2021 proved to be big for biosimilars, with 4 approvals and increased competition, signaling that FDA is shifting some of their focus from the pandemic back to the growing industry.

In VA Study, Many Patients Who Tried Biosimilar Infliximab Went Back to Remicade

February 11th 2022

The study had no explanations for why patients stopped taking biosimilars or switched back to the reference product; authors said this merits further research.

Biogen, Xbrane Enter Commercialization Agreement for Cimzia Biosimilar

February 10th 2022

By Skylar Jeremias

Biogen and Xbrane Biopharma signed a commercialization agreement for Xcimzane, a certolizumab pegol biosimilar referencing Cimzia for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and other rheumatologic conditions.

Making Patients in Canada Switch to Etanercept Biosimilars Caused No Harm or Changes in Health Care Use, Study Finds

February 9th 2022

By Meir Rinde, MS

Health Canada approved biosimilars Brenzys and Erelzi in August 2016 and April 2017, respectively. The study tracked effects of the first phase of the British Columbia Ministry of Health’s Biosimilar Initiative, which required patients to switch to biosimilars starting in May 2019.

Cardinal Health Report Sees 2022 as “Turning Point” for Biosimilars

February 8th 2022

By Mary Caffrey

The year 2022 “is set to be a turning point” in the United States, as biosimilars are on their way to delivering $133 billion in aggregate savings by 2025, according to Cardinal Health's “2022 Biosimilars Report: The U.S. Journey and Path Ahead.”

Nova Scotia Becomes Fifth Canadian Province to Implement a Biosimilar Switching Program

February 5th 2022

By Skylar Jeremias

The province is the latest jurisdiction to adopt a program that will require patients to switch away from expensive reference biologics to select biosimilars for certain conditions.

Wayne Winegarden, PhD: How to Ensure Biosimilar Affordability as Reference Drug Prices Increase

January 30th 2022

By Skylar Jeremias

Wayne Winegarden, PhD, a senior fellow in business and economics at Pacific Research Institute, discusses how to ensure affordability of adalimumab biosimilars when they enter the market as AbbVie continues to raise the price of the reference product (Humira).

Biogen to Sell Its Stake in the Biosimilar Venture Samsung Bioepis

January 28th 2022

By Laura Joszt

In a deal to sell the 50% ownership stake, Biogen would receive up to $2.3 billion.