Biosimilar

Use of a second anti-tumor necrosis factor agent resulted in early clinical response in nearly 50% of patients with ulcerative colitis and long-term remission in about 30%, with no difference reported between IV and subcutaneous agents.

Celltrion USA has submitted a Biologics License Application to the FDA for its tocilizumab biosimilar candidate CT-P47, according to a press release.

An initiative to switch clinically stable patients from Remicade to a biosimilar significantly increased biosimilar use in rheumatology and gastroenterology clinics within the University of North Carolina health system, according to data.

The FDA’s approval of Zymfentra in fall 2023 offers patients the “flexibility” of a subcutaneous therapy option for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, Stephen B. Hanauer, MD, told Healio in an interview.

CVS Caremark, one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefit managers, will remove Humira from its major national commercial formularies effective April 1 in favor of biosimilar options, according to a press release from the company.

Switching between biosimilars and reference products did not increase the risk for death or serious adverse events, according to a meta-analysis conducted by FDA investigators.

Patients reported low overall satisfaction with New Zealand’s mandatory nationwide transition to an adalimumab biosimilar, though most said they are still taking it and appreciated its less-painful injections, according to a study.

News pertaining to biosimilars came at a fast and furious pace in 2023.

SAN DIEGO — Compared with Medicaid and private insurance, Medicare has lagged significantly in adopting infliximab biosimilars despite the multiple options now available, according to data presented at ACR Convergence 2023.

The FDA has approved Wezlana as a Stelara biosimilar for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, according to an FDA press release.