Patient Experiences With CT-P17 Suggest Strong Satisfaction and Ease of Injection

As health systems continue expanding the use of high-concentration adalimumab biosimilars, new real-world data from 2 Australian hospitals offered a closer look at how people living with Crohn disease experienced self-injection with CT-P17 (Yuflyma), a citrate-free biosimilar administered via autoinjector.1

The cross-sectional analysis provided early insights into patient satisfaction, ease of use, and tolerability—factors that play a substantial role in adherence for long-term biologic therapy.

Researchers conducted the study to address an evidence gap around patient-reported experiences with CT-P17 specifically in individuals with Crohn disease. Although prior trials and observational reports have established CT-P17’s pharmacokinetic and safety equivalence to reference adalimumab, limited research has focused on how people perceive the device design, injection comfort, and overall usability in the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population. Understanding these patient-centered considerations is essential for payers and clinicians working to expand biosimilar adoption.

The study included 15 adults with Crohn disease (median age, 39.9 years) treated at Macquarie University Hospital and Concord Repatriation General Hospital. All participants had previous experience with at least 1 biologic therapy—most commonly reference adalimumab—and all had used an autoinjector prior to CT-P17. Participants either transitioned from an adalimumab product to CT-P17 or had been receiving CT-P17 for at least 4 weeks before completing the assessment.

Researchers collected baseline demographics and disease activity using the Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI). They used the Self-Injection Assessment Questionnaire (SIAQ), a validated tool designed to capture patient experiences with self-administration, including emotional response, confidence, physical discomfort, and satisfaction. SIAQ domain scores range from 0 (worst) to 10 (best), with higher values indicating more positive experiences.

Across domains, participants reported favorable perceptions of CT-P17. Mean (SD) post-transition scores indicated high comfort with injections (8.3 [1.7]) and strong self-confidence during administration (8.4 [1.5]). Many individuals reported that self-injection did not negatively affect their self-image, reflected in a mean score of 9.0 (2.6).

Notably, participants reported minimal pain and skin reactions, producing one of the highest domain scores (9.2 [0.9]). Researchers highlighted this finding in the context of CT-P17’s citrate-free, high-concentration formulation, which was designed to reduce injection discomfort compared with citrate-buffered products. Ease of use of the autoinjector also received strong ratings, with a mean score of 8.8 (1.9). Overall satisfaction mirrored these results (8.8 [1.4]), suggesting general acceptance and comfort with self-administration of the biosimilar.

Participants also reported low disease activity based on HBI scores, which averaged 0.7 (range, 0-3). Because the study did not evaluate clinical efficacy, the HBI measure primarily offered context on disease stability rather than treatment response.

The authors noted that these results aligned with findings from prior research in other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, where CT-P17 has demonstrated comparably positive SIAQ scores. Device features such as ergonomic design, cap removal forces optimized for ease of handling, and clear injection feedback may contribute to patient comfort and confidence. These design elements may be especially meaningful for individuals who experience dexterity limitations or needle anxiety—factors that have been shown in other studies to influence whether patients persist with biologic therapy.

Although the results were promising, the study had several limitations. The sample size was small and limited to 2 specialized hospitals, restricting generalizability. The cross-sectional design captured only a snapshot of early experiences, preventing evaluation of long-term satisfaction, persistence, or adverse events beyond injection-site reactions. The researchers also noted that the SIAQ relies on self-reported data, which may introduce recall bias or underreporting of negative experiences.

Still, the findings contributed to a growing body of evidence suggesting that biosimilar autoinjectors designed with patient usability in mind may support smoother transitions from reference products and help maintain adherence. For managed care organizations, these insights may inform formulary decisions and patient support strategies, particularly as high-concentration adalimumab biosimilars continue to expand their presence in global markets.

The authors concluded that individuals with Crohn disease who transitioned to or continued therapy with CT-P17 generally reported high satisfaction and minimal discomfort, reinforcing the biosimilar’s potential role in promoting patient autonomy and reducing system-level costs. Larger and longer-duration studies are needed to confirm these findings and further explore patient preferences across device types and biosimilar formulations.

Reference

Zheng D-Y, Zhou L-Y, Huang Y-H, Jiang M, Dai C. Biosimilar switching in IBD: safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity in 10,812 patients - a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rev Esp Enferm Dig. Published online November 17, 2025. doi:10.17235/reed.2025.11653/2025