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WHEN CHOICE ARRIVES: Competition & Consequences

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BIOSIMILAR APPROVALS

Cameron Santoro is an associate editor for The Center for Biosimilars

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Here are the top 5 biosimilar articles for the week of January 20, 2025. 

The Top 5 Biosimilar Articles for the Week of January 20

Articles

Biosimilar teriparatide has been shown to be as safe and effective as its reference product for osteoporosis treatment, potentially enabling significant cost savings in Japan’s health care system while addressing persistent misconceptions about biosimilar quality. 

Biosimilar Teriparatide Matches Forteo in Safety and Fracture Risk

When compared with reference aflibercept, a biosimilar ranibizumab was a clinically effective and cost-saving alternative in a study assessing Japanese patients with different subtypes of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Cost-Benefits, Efficacy of Biosimilar Ranibizumab vs Aflibercept for nAMD in Japan

In 2024, the FDA approved 19 biosimilars across various therapeutic areas, including the first biosimilars for ustekinumab and denosumab, marking significant progress in expanding treatment options and market competition.

A Banner Year for Biosimilars: The 19 FDA Approvals From 2024

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Content was developed independently by The Center for Biosimilars

In this episode, The Center for Biosimilars delves into the FDA approval of the first denosumab biosimilars, Wyost and Jubbonti (denosumab-bbdz), which share the nonproprietary name of denosumab-bbdz. These products were approved in March 2024 and although they are the same drug, the different brand names correspond with different indications: Wyost is used for musculoskeletal issues related to bone metastases and Jubbonti is used for osteoporosis and patients with a high risk of fracture.

We have 2 esteemed guests to talk to us about how the osteoporosis treatment landscape is developing and how these new products will help expand access to denosumab treatment: Colin C. Edgerton, MD, a rheumatologist at Articularis Healthcare Group and a member of the American College of Rheumatology ultrasound task force, and Jeffrey Curtis, MD, MS, MPH, a professor, rheumatologist, and epidemiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a former member of the FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee.

To learn more about the approval of denosumab-bddz, 

To watch Curtis and Edgerton speak on the approval of denosumab-bddz and osteoporosis treatment, 

To learn more about the ROSALIA study (NCT05405725), 

Extra content: To read more about the Biosimilars Council position paper on how to improve biosimilar development, 

In 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.


Breaking Barriers in Osteoporosis Care: New Denosumab Biosimilars Wyost, Jubbonti Approved

Welcome to another insightful episode of Not So Different: a Podcast from The Center for Biosimilars. In this episode, we bring you detailed coverage of the trends, challenges, and insights gathered from the Festival of Biologics USA. 

Your host, Skylar Jeremias, assistant managing editor of The Center for Biosimilars

, and guest Dracey Poore, director of biosimilars at Cardinal Health, delve into the crucial themes that emerged from the conference discussions, mainly, the essential role of sustainability in the biosimilar industry. You'll hear about the forward thinking vision of the biopharmaceutical sector, as they maneuver through the evolving biosimilar landscape in their quest to make critical medications accessible to patients.

The conversation travels deeper into the biosimilar ecosystem as Poore explains the effect of significant challenges obstructing the widespread adoption and affordability of biosimilars. 

With insights from the richly detailed Cardinal Health Biosimilar Report, Jeremias and Poore guide you through the evolving prescriber trends and insights that influence biosimilar adoption alongside constructive strategies to overcome these hurdles. This episode sheds light on the importance of ongoing education, dismantling access barriers and promoting a competitive biosimilar market for a better health care landscape.

To read our coverage of the Cardinal Health report, 

To check out The Center for Biosimilars coverage of Festival of Biologics USA, 

00:03:48: Discussion on Cardinal Health Biosimilar Report and challenges to biosimilar adoption

00:04:48: Best practices for managing biosimilar inventories

00:08:05: Legislative efforts impacting the biosimilar landscape

00:10:38: Impact of payer preferences for reference products over biosimilars

00:13:36: Concluding thoughts on the future of biosimilars

Cardinal Health

The discussion highlights key emerging trends from the Festival of Biologics conference and the annual Cardinal Health Biosimilars Report, including the importance of sustainability in the health care landscape and the challenges and successes in biosimilar adoption and affordability.

Insights from Festival of Biologics: Dracey Poore Discusses Cardinal Health’s 2024 Biosimilar Report

Patent thickets, patent litigation, patent dances—all of these legal terms have plagued the biosimilar space, causing many biosimilar products to launch well after the originator's market exclusivity was supposed to expire. A perfect example of this is the Stelara (ustekinumab) space, where patent litigation settlements have led to delayed market access for ustekinumab biosimilars from late 2023 to early 2025. Additionally, congressional leaders have had to investigate AbbVie for potentially abusing the patent system to stall biosimilar competition for Humira (adalimumab).

But why does the system work like this? What can be done to improve it? What actions can be taken to ensure the patent system doesn't hinder competition and innovation?

On this episode of Not So Different, Ha Kung Wong, JD, an intellectual patent attorney partner at Venable LLP, details the confusing landscape that is the US patent system and how it can be improved to help companies overcome barriers to biosimilar competition.

To read more of Ha Kung's thoughts on the US patent system and its role in the biosimilar landscape, 

To learn more about Congress' role in addressing AbbVie's alleged anticompetitive practices regarding adalimumab products, 

To learn more about the suit filed by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield regarding ustekinumab biosimilar delays, 

To learn more about the settlements that have resulted in the market delay of ustekinumab biosimilars, 

To learn more about lawsuits involving AbbVie that led to the delayed market entrance of adalimumab biosimilars, 

To learn more about what types of patents are at most to blame for biosimilar market delays, 

On this episode of Not So Different, Ha Kung Wong, JD, an intellectual patent attorney and partner at Venable LLP, details the confusing landscape that is the US patent system and how it can be improved to help companies overcome barriers to biosimilar competition.

Decoding the Patent Puzzle: Navigating the Legal Landscape of Biosimilars

On this episode of Not So Different, The Center for Biosimilars® revisited all the major rheumatology biosimilar news from February 2024, including the FDA approval of the 10th adalimumab biosimilar, the promise for an oral delivery system for ustekinumab, and the impact of adalimumab products on COVID-19 antibodies.

FDA Approves 10th Adalimumab Biosimilar, Simlandi

Samsung Bioepis Announces New Biosimilar Partnership, Regulatory Updates

Vizient Report Emphasizes Biosimilar Successes, Impact of Inflation on Drug Spend

Eye on Pharma: VA Picks Hadlima; Biocon, Sandoz Partnership; A Stelara Settlement Abroad

Eye on Pharma: Celltrion Biosimilars Win Tenders; Oral Ustekinumab Device Passes Phase 1 Trial

Analyzing Safety of Switching From Originators to Biosimilars: A Meta-Analysis of 21 Trials

Adalimumab Treatment May Impact Antibody Levels After COVID-19 Vaccination

Biosimilars Rheumatology Roundup for February 2024—Podcast Edition

As 2023 comes to a close, we look back on some of the major advancements from the past year, from the long-awaited market introduction of adalimumab biosimilars in the US, to the first major regulatory approvals for neurology biosimilars, to the implementation of key policy initiatives around the globe.

A lot of eyes have been on the United States and 2024 shapes up to be another big year for the biosimilar industry, with approvals for denosumab, aflibercept, and on-body pegfilgrastim biosimilars on the way. Additionally, the nation will continue to see the fallout from the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), including its policies regarding Medicare price negotiations, as well as the role interchangeability designations will play into adoption rates. It also remains to be seen whether payers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are ready to embrace newer biosimilars and add them to formularies as preferred products, leaving the future for a sustainable biosimilar industry up in the air.

Today, I'm joined by Brian Biehn, senior director of biosimilar commercialization, and Corey Ford, vice president of reimbursement and patient access, and policy insights at Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen). Both of them have been keeping a close watch on the biosimilar space throughout the year and today's discussion will surround how this year sets up a new chapter for the industry.

To learn more about the prospect for Neulasta OnPro biosimilars, 

To learn more about how the IRA will impact biosimilars, 

To learn more about the dual-pricing strategy being used for adalimumab biosimilars, 

To hear Brian's insight into how the ophthalmology biosimilar industry is developing, 

To listen to previous Not So Different episodes featuring more of Brian's insight into how the adalimumab market will develop and biosimilar pricing trends, 

On this episode of Not So Different, Cencora's Brian Biehn and Corey Ford take a look back at major policy and regulatory advancements in 2023 and how these changes will alter the space going forward.

A New Chapter: How 2023 Will Shape the US Biosimilar Space for 2024 and Beyond

When it comes to the US biosimilar industry as a whole, adalimumab is on everyone's mind. 2023 ushered in a new age for these products and so far, 8 adalimumab biosimilars have entered the market and companies are looking for any way to stand out from the crowd. Some have chosen to use a dual pricing strategy to both get on formulary and offer steep discounts, some have chosen to align their prices more with the reference product (Humira), some are leaning on their interchangeability or high-concentration labeling in hopes of becoming the new preferred adalimumab option among pharmacy benefit managers and providers. However, whether these new biosimilars, if any of them, will gain significant market share or generate meaningful savings for Americans will remain to be seen.

Today, we're joined by Fran Gregory, PharmD, MBA, vice president of emerging therapies at Cardinal Health, to discuss the initial market reaction to adalimumab biosimilars and her predictions for how the rest of the year will play out. Gregory recently published a paper claiming that adalimumab biosimilars will transform the US health care industry and she's been keeping a keen eye on how this is playing out in the real-world setting. She's also well-versed on the European and Canadian experiences with these products and can provide valued insight into how the United States' health system can champion the use of these products.

To read more about Dr. Gregory's commentary piece, 

To read more about Cardinal Health's 2023 Biosimilars Report, 

To learn more about adalimumab biosimilars, 

To learn more about the adalimumab biosimilars that have launched so far in the US:

 for the launches of Hyrimoz, Hadlima, Yusimry, and Cyltezo

On this episode of Not So Different, Fran Gregory, PharmD, MBA, vice president of emerging therapies at Cardinal Health, analyzes the adalimumab market so far in the United States and provides insight into how the market needs to adapt to accept these products and ensure lower drug costs for patients.


Dr Fran Gregory Sizes Up the US Adalimumab Market: Will Biosimilars See Success?

July 2023—the moment the entire US biosimilar industry has been waiting for. This month 8 adalimumab biosimilars will launch on the market, and as of this recording, 7 have made their market debut. This represents the most biosimilars to launch in a single month and adalimumab is officially the drug class with the highest number of biosimilar options. These drugs all reference Humira, one of the most profitable drugs in the world, largely because it has 11 indications across the rheumatology, dermatology, immunology, and gastroenterology (GI) spaces.

In particular, adalimumab biosimilars open the doors for massive savings for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an umbrella term for Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. However, like other treatment spaces, the GI space must overcome misconceptions and misinformation regarding the safety and efficacy of IBD biosimilars, highlighting the need for more education resources for patients and providers alike.

Today, I'm joined by Laura Wingate, executive vice president, education, support and advocacy at the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. She has been working with the foundation for over 16 years and has seen the market transform before her eyes as more gastrointestinal biosimilars enter the market. She is passionate about expanding access to IBD treatments and raising awareness about the emergence of IBD biosimilars, as well as their benefits and savings potentials.

To learn more about the adalimumab products that have launched in the US so far, click 

Laura Wingate, from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, explains some of the challenges regarding educating patients and providers on biosimilars for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as well as whether the gastroenterology space is ready for the influx of adalimumab biosimilars.

Adalimumab Biosimilars Take Center Stage: A Game Changer for IBD Treatment

On this episode of Not So Different, we recap some of the main news in April regarding biosimilars used to treat rheumatic conditions, including some progressions and some setbacks as well as research on nonmedical switching from originators to biosimilars.


Biosimilars Check In: Vegzelma Launch, BLA Acceptances, China Approval

FDA Issues Another CRL for Alvotech’s Adalimumab Biosimilar

Multiple Infliximab Biosimilar Switches Appear Safe, Effective for Patients With IBD

Study on Nonmedical Switching for Adalimumab Biosimilars Warns About Nocebo Effect

Spherix Global Insights: Despite High Awareness, Provider Comfort With Adalimumab Biosimilars Is Low

Pipelines and Preparation: How the US Can Prepare for More RA Biosimilars

Study Reveals Factors That Dissuade Commercial Plans From Covering Biosimilars

On this episode of Not So Different, we recap some of the main news in April regarding biosimilars used to treat rheumatic conditions, including some progressions and some setbacks as well as research on nonmedical switching from originators to biosimilars.



Biosimilars Rheumatology Roundup for April 2023—Podcast Edition

With 1 adalimumab biosimilar and 3 infliximab biosimilars on the market, and over 10 more biosimilars for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) coming down the pipeline, rheumatologists are about to have more treatment choices for their patients than ever before. 2023 marks the US introductions of biosimilar referencing Humira (adalimumab) and Stelara (ustekinumab). With an abundance of choice, come storage, education, and payer challenges. What can practices do to prepare? How can they boost uptake of these products? And how can we ensure that the lower than anticipated uptake of infliximab biosimilars is not repeated?

Today, I’m speaking with Robert Zutaut, RPh, clinical specialist with McKesson Provider Solutions about the influx of these RA biosimilars and actions that clinicians can take to prepare for the large number of products expected to hit the market in the next couple years. Prior to his work with McKesson, he served as the director of pharmaceutical services at Raleigh Regional Cancer Center in Beckley, West Virginia. He obtained a bachelor of pharmacy from West Virginia University and has been analyzing RA biosimilar trends and the everchanging market. He’s also been keeping an eye on the development for prognostic biomarker tests in the RA space.

To learn more about biosimilars to treat RA, 

To learn more about rheumatologists’ perceptions about RA biosimilars, 

To learn more about incentives for prescribing biosimilars, 

To learn more about infliximab biosimilar adoption, 

To learn more about the influx of adalimumab biosimilars to the US market, 

To learn more about ustekinumab biosimilars, 

Keep a lookout for Robert's upcoming contributor article on the developing RA biosimilar market.

What can practices do to prepare for all the biosimilars to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) coming down the pipeline? And how can they ensure that the lower-than-anticipated adoption rates for infliximab biosimilars are not repeated? Robert Zutaut, RPh, from McKesson Provider Solutions, tackles all this and more on this episode of Not So Different.

2023 is gearing up to be a big year for biosimilars, especially in the United States, where up to 10 adalimumab biosimilars referencing Humira, one of the most expensive drugs in the world, will enter the market. In addition to that, we will see the fallout of major government policies, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Biosimilars User Fee Amendment, as well as how the market will respond to so many biosimilars entering the market at the same time. How will the first 6 months go? How will payers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) alter their coverage options? Will interchangeability designations make a difference? Will biosimilars be able to get a greater piece of the market pie?

On this episode, Brian Biehn, senior director of biosimilar commercialization at AmerisourceBergen, explored how the new year may play out for biosimilars, including his predictions or how uptake will be influenced in the adalimumab market and how government policies will impact the competitiveness of the market.

To read more about adalimumab biosimilars, 

To read more about ophthalmology biosimilars, 

To learn more about the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on biosimilars, 

To read more about the reauthorization of the Biosimilars User Fee Amendment, 

New Year, New Hurdles: What's in Store for Biosimilars in 2023

Functional similarity of the ustekinumab biosimilar ABP 654 (Wezlana) and the reference product (Stelara) was confirmed by a series of in vitro studies, which support the totality of evidence for the biosimliar's FDA approval.

Functional Similarity Between Ustekinumab Biosimilar ABP 654, Stelara in Crohn Disease

Biosimilar launches achieve a 53% market share and a 53% reduction in average drug costs after 5 years of biosimilar competition, according to Samsung Bioepis’ most recent market report, showcasing notable pricing trends and market share disparities across therapeutic areas.

Biosimilars Drive Cost Savings and Achieve 53% Market Share Across Treatment Areas

A study from Spain found a subcutaneous tocilizumab biosimilar to be cost-effective when treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after experiencing improved outcomes.

Biosimilar Tocilizumab Cost-Effective for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Spain

The nationwide mandatory switch from Humira (reference adalimumab) to biosimilar adalimumab in Denmark led to no increase in total health care costs over 9 months, with significant cost reductions for those who switched to GP2017 specifically, highlighting the economic feasibility of biosimilar adoption.

Cost-Efficiency in Action: Denmark's Transition to Biosimilar Adalimumab

Sophia Humphreys talks

In an interview, Sophia Humphreys, PharmD, discusses how the expansion of biosimilars into new therapeutic areas, such as immunology, endocrinology, and ophthalmology, has led to increased hesitance compared to the quicker adoption seen in cancer treatment. This is due to the maintenance nature of many therapies, making it harder to switch patients to biosimilars. 

She emphasizes the need for patient and provider education about the safety, efficacy, and similarity of biosimilars. When addressing adalimumab biosimilars, Humphreys highlights factors such as product formulation preferences, interchangeability regulations, and payer coverage as key drivers in market competition.

This transcript has been edited for clarity.

How do new therapeutic classes and indications for biosimilars influence market expansion?

I think this goes beyond just patient education. And, for example, when we started with just the cancer curative and supportive agents, biosimilars, those are quickly adopted, and once we start to move into immunology, endocrinology and ophthalmology, now we started to observe more hesitance. 

One reason is because a lot of these are maintenance therapies. So we're not looking at starting a new treatment plan or starting a new cycle treatment with a new biosimilar. We're looking at convincing a patient who has failed several therapies before they reach the [reference] biologics now that could convince them to switch to a biosimilar product. So the first thing is that we really wanted to educate both our patients as well as our providers that these products are highly similar to the reference product. 

There's no evidence of diminished efficacy or increased immunogenicity or safety signals so far. For the past 10 years, we have used biosimilar successfully. And also we really wanted to address our health care system leaders that these biosimilar product in the expanded therapeutic classes would really increase access of care—really providing life saving, life altering medications for more patients.

What are the key factors driving competition among adalimumab biosimilars in the market?

Adalimumab, that's everybody's favorite molecule since July of 2023. So, several factors. This is actually quite similar—adalimumab and infliximab. It's almost similar. For autoimmune disease, as we have mentioned, a lot of patients are on maintenance [therapies]. And adalimumab has so many product [options]. And you really want to see if the product can match the existing product that our patient are using as much as possible. 

For example, if my patient is using a citrate-free product, you probably don't want to switch them to a product that is not citrate-free, which will cause probably more injection site discomfort. And also, a lot of patients prefer higher concentration vs lower concentration. That's another concern. And interchangeability is another concern. 

In a lot of states, we allow pharmacy-level switch, which means when a physician's order is the reference product for adalimumab in the state where they allow pharmacy-level switch, a pharmacist can switch the particular product to a interchangeable biosimilar of the reference adalimumab without a new authorization from the physician who prescribed that originator, because this particular product is interchangeable. 

Of course, different states have different regulations, and you also need to make sure that you meet the communication and information sharing requirement of your state, which means the patient needs to know that you're giving them a different product. The physician would need to know when you did the switching and which product was provided to the patient. Of course, most importantly, we need to know if the biosimilar you are switching to is covered by the patient's payers, and if they provide similar or comparable patient support and especially copay assistance. 

And when we are working with 340B-eligible sites, you would need to consider the switching effect to your 340B accumulation. So, a lot of factors are brought into this consideration. It's a very comprehensive analysis.

Sophia Humphreys, PharmD, from Sutter Health explains that expanding biosimilars into new therapeutic areas faces hesitance due to maintenance therapies, emphasizing the importance of education.

Addressing Hesitance in Biosimilar Adoption

Insights From Cencora's Lakesha Farmer: Innovative Biosimilar Adoption Strategies

Lakesha Farmer, PharmD, MBA, senior director, strategic accounts, ION Oncology Practice Network at Cencora, explains new strategies being used to incentivize biosimilar adoption and market competition in a world where reimbursement and rebate policies cater more towards innovator products.

Can you discuss any innovative pricing and reimbursement models that have been implemented to incentivize biosimilar adoption and market competitiveness?

Sure, since the introduction to the market, we've seen some very unique pricing incidences strategies created to incentivize adoption of biosimilar agents. So, most recently, we've seen manufacturers take a nonbranded and branded approach to the launch of their biosimilars, which offers a low wholesale acquisition costs are WAC and the high WAC option. This pricing approach is currently being seen with insulin biosimilars and adalimumab biosimilars.

For example, the adaIimumab biosimilars Cyltezo was initially launched as a branded, high WAC product that offer about 5% discount to the originator (Humira). The makers of Cyltezo saw that the uptake of the medication was pretty slow, and that not all PBMs [pharmacy benefit managers] and insurers were receptive to adding the slightly discounted medication to their formularies. So, about 3 months after their launch, the manufacturer decided to launch an unbranded, low WAC version of the medication, which was surprisingly about 81% less than the originator product's price. So, by taking this low WAC/high WAC approach to pricing, this caters to all PBMs and issuer plans based upon their preference and increases coverage and access to biosimilar for patients.
The only possible downside to this pricing strategy that I can possibly foresee is that the heavily discounted low WAC options could possibly impact a manufacturer's ability to offer co-pay assistance programs and other patient access resources.

The second unique pricing strategy that incentivizes patients access to biosimilars is the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Program. This program aims to lower patient out-of-pocket costs by offering your Yusimry, an adalimumab biosimilar, to patients for a low cost of $569 [per month]. According to Drugs.com, the average cash price for Humira is about $7,300. As you can see, by offering this biosimilar at a cash price of $569 to uninsured patients, as well as a possible option for commercially insured patients with high deductibles, co-pays, and/or co-insurances can definitely be a game changer.

Now moving on to address the unique reimbursement incentive. Currently, the most notable incentive is the add-on payment for physician administered biosimilars that was introduced under the Inflation Reduction Act. Under this provision biosimilar reimbursement is set at ASP [average sales price] plus 8% of the reference product's ASP, which is higher than the reference product's reimbursement, which is set at ASP plus 6%. This higher reimbursement rate, provided through Medicare, provides community based providers with a greater incentive to use biosimilars for their patients.

Lakesha Farmer, PharmD, MBA, from Cencora discusses innovative pricing and reimbursement models incentivizing biosimilar adoption and competitiveness, including dual pricing strategies and the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Program, while highlighting potential impacts on patient assistance programs.

Insights From Cencora's Dr Lakesha Farmer: Innovative Biosimilar Adoption Strategies

Dr Prerakkumar Parikh talks about recent FDA approvals for ms biosimilars and the first tocilizumab biosimilar

Dr Prerakkumar Parikh Reacts to FDA Approvals for First Neurology, Tocilizumab Biosimilars

Prerakkumar Parikh, PharmD, director of specialty clinical solutions at Magellan Rx Management, gives insight into the growing world of biosimilars and the role formulary placement plays in biosimilar adoption.

In the second half of 2023, the FDA approved the first 

Prerakkumar Parikh, PharmD, director of specialty clinical solutions at Magellan Rx Management, reacts to recent FDA approvals for the first natalizumab and tocilizumab biosimilars.

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