The Canada Health approval for Hyrimoz will be followed by a launch in February 2021, Sandoz Canada said.
The Sandoz adalimumab biosimilar Hyrimoz has been approved by Health Canada for the treatment of 9 rheumatologic and gastrointestinal conditions—in effect, all the indications as for the reference brand, Humira.
Adalimumab is a fully human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker that helps to reduce inflammation. Health Canada granted marketing authorization for Hyrimoz in 3 subcutaneous injection dosage forms: 40 mg/0.8 mL and 20 mg/0.4mL in prefilled syringe, 40 mg/0.8 mL in autoinjector.
The indications include rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, adult Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis and adult uveitis.
Sandoz Canada executive Karine Matteau said in a statement that the company intended to launch Hyrimoz by February 15, 2021, and said market potential is promising as 42,000 Canadian patients already receive treatment with adalimumab.
“We are currently working on the reimbursement of Hyrimoz to enable rapid access for patients.” said Matteau, vice president, Bio-Generic Hospital/Physician channel and Head Biosimilars at Sandoz Canada. “Sandoz is dedicated to growing our biosimilars portfolio in Canada and Hyrimoz is an important driver for this in the immunology area, as it complements the recent biosimilar launches we had this year in immunology and oncology.” In Canada, the company markets biosimilars for oncology, immunology, and endocrinology. These compete in a national market that has seen 32 biosimilar approvals to date, Sandoz Canada said.
Sandoz Canada said it would support the rollout with patient support that includes reimbursement navigation, financial assistance, administrative support, and a biosimilar education program for patients.
The regulatory approval for Hyrimoz marks the third approval for the company in Canada over the past 11 months. In August 2020, Sandoz Canada launched the pegfilgrastim and rituximab biosimilars Ziextenzo and Riximyo, respectively. Both agents were approved by Health Canada in April 2020.
The Banking of Biosimilars: Insights From a Leading Health Economist
February 4th 2025Biosimilars have the potential to reduce health care costs and expand patient access, but economic and policy barriers affect adoption, explored James D. Chambers, PhD, MPharm, MSc, associate professor at the Tufts Medical Center Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, in an interview.
Biosimilars Gastroenterology Roundup for November 2024—Podcast Edition
December 1st 2024On this episode of Not So Different, we discuss market changes in the adalimumab space; calls for PBM transparency and biosimilar access reforms grew; new data for biosimilars in gastroenterology conditions; and all the takeaways from this year's Global Biosimilars Week.
Biosimilars Policy Roundup for September 2024—Podcast Edition
October 6th 2024On this episode of Not So Different, we discuss the FDA's approval of a new biosimilar for treating retinal conditions, which took place in September 2024 alongside other major industry developments, including ongoing legal disputes and broader trends in market dynamics and regulatory challenges.
FDA Approves Celltrion's Avtozma as Third Tocilizumab Biosimilar
January 31st 2025The FDA approved Avtozma, a tocilizumab biosimilar developed by Celltrion, for the treatment of several rheumatic conditions. It is the third biosimilar to reference Actemra (tocilizumab) to be approved for US patients.