The approval for adalimumab-adbm comes a year after the first adalimumab biosimilar, by Amgen, was approved in September of 2016.
The FDA has approved the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor adalimumab-adbm (Cyltezo) injection for subcutaneous use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, and plaque psoriasis.
Developed by Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), this is the second adalimumab (Humira, Abbvie) biosimilar to be approved in the United States, nearly a year after adalimumab-atto (Amjevita, Amgen) was approved by the FDA in September 2016.
The most serious adverse events with adalimumab-adbm include infections and malignancies. The FDA has included a serious boxed warning for serious and sometimes fatal infections, including tuberculosis, bacterial sepsis, invasive fungal infections, and infections from other opportunistic pathogens. TNF blockers also increase the risk of lymphomas and other malignancies, particularly in young children and adolescents, according to the product label.
Abbvie, which has a multi-billion dollar market for the reference product, had filed a complaint against BI in a Delaware federal court earlier this month claiming that BI will infringe on 74 of its patents for adalimumab in its development of this product.
Eye on Pharma: Sandoz Files Antitrust Suit; Yuflyma Interchangeability; Costco’s Ustekinumab Pick
April 22nd 2025Sandoz's antitrust suit against Amgen, the FDA’s interchangeability designation for Celltrion’s adalimumab biosimilar, and the inclusion of an ustekinumab biosimilar in Costco’s prescription program highlight growing momentum to expand biosimilar access and affordability for patients with chronic inflammatory diseases.
Will the FTC Be More PBM-Friendly Under a Second Trump Administration?
February 23rd 2025On this episode of Not So Different, we explore the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) second interim report on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) with Joe Wisniewski from Turquoise Health, discussing key issues like preferential reimbursement, drug pricing transparency, biosimilars, shifting regulations, and how a second Trump administration could reshape PBM practices.
President Trump Signs Executive Order to Bring Down Drug Prices
April 16th 2025To help bring down sky-high drug prices, President Donald Trump signed an executive order pushing for faster biosimilar development, more transparency, and tougher rules on pharmacy benefit managers—aiming to save billions and make meds more affordable for everyone.
Breaking Barriers in Osteoporosis Care: New Denosumab Biosimilars Wyost, Jubbonti Approved
June 16th 2024In this episode, The Center for Biosimilars® delves into the FDA approval of the first denosumab biosimilars, Wyost and Jubbonti (denosumab-bbdz), and discuss their potential to revolutionize osteoporosis treatment with expert insights from 2 rheumatologists.
Latest Biosimilar Deals Signal Growth Across Immunology, Oncology Markets
April 14th 2025During Q1 2025, pharmaceutical companies accelerated biosimilar expansion through strategic acquisitions and partnerships in hopes of boosting patient access to lower-cost treatments in immunology and oncology.
Experts Pressure Congress to Remove Roadblocks for Biosimilars
April 12th 2025Lawmakers and expert witnesses emphasized the potential of biosimilars to lower health care costs by overcoming barriers like pharmacy benefit manager practices, limited awareness, and regulatory delays to improve access and competition in chronic disease management during a recent congressional hearing.