Rheumatology

Switching to Biosimilar Etanercept, Erelzi, Does Not Impact Efficacy, Safety, or Immunogenicity in RA

May 30th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Researchers are reporting switching data from the phase 3 EQUIRA study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), demonstrating that a single switch from the reference to the biosimilar had no impact on efficacy, safety, or immunogenicity of etanercept.

Study Identifies Risk Factors for Infliximab Discontinuation in RA

May 27th 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

A study presented at the recent ISPOR 2019 meeting assessed both the cost associated with treatment with infliximab for patients at US hospitals as well as reasons for discontinuation of therapy during follow-up, and it found that insurance coverage status is one factor that plays a role in discontinuation of this therapy that rose consistently in price over the study period.

Fresenius Kabi's Adalimumab Biosimilar Produces Comparable QOL Improvements to Humira

May 22nd 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

Treatment with the biosimilar, the investigators concluded, resulted in comparable, maintained quality of life improvements that were not impacted by a switch from the reference product.

Biosimilar Monotherapy Sequence for RA Can Be Considered Cost-Effective, Study Finds

May 21st 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a considerable economic burden, and costly biologics, are often restricted to cases in which patients fail to respond adequately to methotrexate or other conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, which may be difficult for some patients to tolerate.

Researchers Report a Successful Switch and Suggest That Patient Education Played a Role

May 16th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

The switch included patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis who were treated at a single center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

AbbVie and Boehringer Ingelheim Settle Over Biosimilar Adalimumab

May 14th 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

AbbVie announced today that it has settled its patent litigation with Boehringer Ingelheim over adalimumab.

HTA Frameworks for RA Therapies Need Improvement, Researchers Say

May 13th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

Cost-effectiveness models for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) first emerged in the early 2000s when highly effective but also high-cost biologic therapies began to reach patients. However, these health technology assessment (HTA) models need improvement, a recent paper says.

As Evidence Base for Biosimilars Grows, So Too Will Confidence in Switching, Review Says

May 7th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

Despite potential benefits of biosimilar adoption in terms of both patient access and healthcare system sustainability, and despite ongoing efforts at patient and provider education on biosimilars, stakeholders may continue to have concerns about perceived risks with switching. A new review of the available literature on switching—from randomized controlled trials and real-world evidence—sought to address those concerns, and said that additional education and ongoing real-world evidence collection will be necessary to increasing stakeholder comfort with these agents.

Canadian Organizations Collaborate on Oncology Biosimilars Initiative

May 6th 2019

By Allison Inserro

Article

With additional biosimilars expected to reach the market later this year and beyond, Canada has made another move to foster biosimilar adoption with 2 recent developments.

Eye on Pharma: Fresenius Kabi Launches Biosimilar Adalimumab, Idacio

May 6th 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

Fresenius Kabi, maker of the EU-authorized biosimilar adalimumab, Idacio, has launched its product in Germany. Fresenius Kabi has made the biosimilar available for sale in pre-filled syringe, pre-filled pen, and vial presentations.