Rheumatology

FDA Approves Samsung Bioepis' Etanercept Biosimilar, Eticovo

April 26th 2019

By Kelly Davio

The FDA has approved Samsung Bioepis’ etanercept biosimilar, SB4, as Eticovo (etanercept-ykro). A representative from Samsung Bioepis has confirmed approval of the product to The Center for Biosimilars® in an email. The biosimilar is already approved in a variety of other markets under the name Benepali.

ANSWER Study: More Patients With RA Discontinue Adalimumab and Infliximab Due to Remission

April 22nd 2019

By Allison Inserro

Article

Adalimumab and infliximab showed the highest discontinuation rate due to patient remission, followed by golimumab, in the study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Withdrawal of Infliximab in AS Leads to Relapse for Majority of Patients, Study Finds

April 21st 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

After treatment withdrawal, 58.3% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) had relapsed. Half of the relapses appeared within 6 months.

Biosimilar Infliximab, Zessly, Is Safe and Effective Long-Term, Study Reports

April 19th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

The authors write that these data add to the totality of the evidence supporting the biosimilarity of the biosimilar infliximab with its reference.

PBM Says Its Biosimilars Strategy Led to 86% Use of Biosimilar Infliximab

April 17th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

Magellan Rx Management, a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), said today that its biosimilar management program has resulted in strong biosimilar uptake and significant drug cost savings for health plan organizations during its first year.

Diverging from US, Canada Approves Biosimilar Rituximab in Both Oncology and Rheumatology Indications

April 15th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

Last week, Health Canada approved Celltrion and Teva’s biosimilar rituximab, Truxima, for the treatment of adults with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Asian Researchers Report Success With Biosimilars in the Rheumatology Clinic

April 10th 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

During this week’s 21st Congress of the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Australian Rheumatology Association, held April 8-11 in Brisbane, Australia, multiple groups of researchers are reporting on the real-world use of biosimilars in rheumatology. According to these research teams, biosimilars are proving to be effective in the real-world clinical setting.

Researchers Present Real-World Data on Biosimilar Infliximab Agents at APLAR-ARA

April 8th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

This week, rheumatology experts will gather in Brisbane, Australia, for the 21st Congress of the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) and Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA), held April 8-11. During the meeting, several groups of researchers will discuss real-world experience with biosimilar infliximab in Asia.

Study Reports Long-Term Similarity Between ABP 501 and Humira in Patients With RA

April 7th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

The study is an open-label extension of a phase 3 trial that included 68 weeks of treatment with the biosimilar adalimumab, Amjevita, followed by an assessment visit at week 70 and an end-of-study visit at week 72.

Golimumab Could Save on RA Costs Versus Biosimilar Infliximab, Study Suggests

April 6th 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

Intravenous golimumab and infliximab are both widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the United States, though these anti–tumor necrosis factor agents have markedly different dosing recommendations; patients who receive golimumab may receive 7 infusions during year 1, while patients who receive infliximab may receive between 8 and 14 infusions during year 1.