Uptake of Infliximab Biosimilars Among the Medicare Population
Alice Chen, Laura Gascue, Rocío Ribero, Karen Van Nuys
Abstract
Biologics, large molecules produced in a living system, are one of the fastest growing segments of drug spending. In theory, biosimilars, highly similar copies of existing biologics, could lower costs. The first biosimilar to launch in the US, filgrastim-sndz, had strong adoption after just 2 years, capturing 40% of the market and lowering unit prices by 25%. 1,2 However, unlike filgrastim, which treats acute indications, the second and third biosimilars to launch in the US addressed chronic conditions. Inflectra (infliximab-dyyb) and Renflexis (infliximab-abda), biosimilars to Remicade (infliximab), were approved for induction and maintenance of remission in lifelong conditions such as Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Following starter doses at 0, 2, and 6 weeks, infliximab is administered once every 8 weeks. 4]