American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting

Studies Report on Switching, Tolerability, and Infection Risk With Biosimilar Infliximab

November 14th 2019

As the only anti–tumor necrosis factor therapies currently available to US patients with inflammatory diseases, biosimilars of infliximab are increasingly used to treat diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. While there are a wealth of data on real-world use of these products in territories like the European Union, less research has examined their use in the United States. During the American College of Rheumatology’s 2019 meeting, held this week in Atlanta, Georgia, researchers reported on the results of 3 studies that assessed real-world use of biosimilar infliximab in the US context.

Biologics Show Similar Efficacy in Older Patients as in Younger, No Matter When RA Begins

November 14th 2019

Article

The lead author said the results indicate that biologics can be used in older patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as effectively as in those who are younger.

Newly Presented Data on SB4 Show Successful Switches, Safe Use, and No Evidence of Nocebo

November 13th 2019

Article

While US patients continue to wait for a biosimilar etanercept to become commercially available, real-world data continue to amass for Samsung Bioepis’ biosimilar, SB4, in European clinical practice. The biosimilar, sold as Benepali in the European context, was the subject of several studies presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology’s 2019 meeting, held in Atlanta, Georgia.

Studies Highlight Real-World Data on GP2015 and Predict Substantial US Cost Savings With Biosimilar Use

November 13th 2019

Article

Among the first biosimilars to gain US approval was Sandoz’s etanercept biosimilar, GP2015, or Erelzi. The product was authorized by the FDA in 2016, but it has not yet launched in the US market due to long-running patent disputes related to Amgen’s innovator product, Enbrel. In other markets, however, the biosimilar is a widely used treatment option, and data presented at the American College of Rheumatology’s 2019 meeting, held this week in Atlanta, Georgia, show that not only is the biosimilar safe and effective in real-world practice in ex-US markets, but it could also bring about substantial savings in the United States once it becomes available.

Infants Exposed to Tofacitinib In Utero Experience Very Few Serious Infections, Study Says

November 13th 2019

Article

The results will inform will inform counseling and management of pregnant women with inflammatory diseases who need tofacitinib or non-tumor necrosis factor inhibitors during pregnancy, said the author.

Rising Drug Prices Cited for Most Biologic Spending Growth

November 11th 2019

Article

Postmarket drug price changes alone accounted for most of the recent spending growth on biologics, and manufacturers’ rebates had little impact, according to an abstract presented at the American College of Rheumatology’s 2019 meeting, being held in Atlanta, Georgia, this week.

Rheumatologists' Biosimilar Awareness Is Growing, But Their Confidence Has Room to Improve

November 11th 2019

Article

Over the past few years, awareness of biosimilars has been increasing; however, research presented at the American College of Rheumatology’s 2019 meeting, being held in Atlanta, Georgia, shows that while US rheumatologists hold growing awareness of biosimilars, hesitancy remains around such issues as switching stable patients and the extrapolation of indications.

At ACR, New Data for Amgen's Proposed Infliximab and Rituximab Biosimilars in RA

November 11th 2019

Article

On Sunday, during the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)’s 2019 meeting, being held in Atlanta, Georgia, researchers reported on the safety and efficacy of the proposed infliximab biosimilar ABP 710 in a phase 3 study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Researchers also reported on a phase 1 and 3 study of the proposed rituximab biosimilar, ABP 798, in patients with RA.

Switching to Biosimilar Etanercept Is Safe and Effective in RA

October 23rd 2018

Article

As more biosimilars are earning regulatory approvals in both the United States and the European Union, the question of whether to switch patients (and at what point to do so) continues to be discussed; researchers will present findings from 2 etanercept switching studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the American College of Rheumatology’s (ACR) Annual meeting, held in Chicago, Illinois October 19-24, 2018.

3 Studies Report on Biosimilar Adalimumab

October 22nd 2018

Article

During the American College of Rheumatology’s Annual Meeting, held in Chicago, Illinois from October 19-24, 2018, various researchers will present findings on the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of 3 adalimumab biosimilars.