The Top 5 Biosimilar Articles for the Week of January 15

Number 5: Sarafraz K. Niazi, PhD, previews the new year and his hopes for the end of clinical efficacy testing for biosimilar approvals using examples from history of other scientific concepts that took time to gain traction.

Number 4: CVS Health has announced that it will remove AbbVie’s blockbuster immunosuppressive drug Humira from some of its preferred formulary drug lists in favor of more affordable biosimilar options for the drug. Starting April 1, 2024, Hyrimoz and an unbranded version of Humira manufactured by Sandoz will be covered across all CVS formularies, with branded and unbranded near copies of Humira manufactured by Biocon covered on some reimbursement lists.

Number 3: IQVIA’s report on the impact biosimilar competition has had on Europe’s health care space identified ongoing challenges with biosimilar access and generating savings, calling for more policies focusing on fostering a sustainable market for years to come.

Number 2: As Regeneron gears up for a legal battle with biosimilar competitors for its reference aflibercept, CareFirst files a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) for restricting biosimilar ustekinumab competition, and Celltrion and Accord BioPharma file with the FDA to approve their respective biosimilar candidates.

Number 1: The European Medicines Agency (EMA) granted marketing authorization to Uzpurvo, the first biosimilar to reference Stelara (ustekinumab). The biosimilar is indicated for Crohn disease, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis.

To read all of these articles and more, visit centerforbiosimilars.com.