Boehringer launches 81% discounted biosimilar of AbbVie’s Humira

Oct 2 (Reuters) – Germany’s Boehringer Ingelheim on Monday launched an unbranded version of AbbVie’s (ABBV.N) biosimilar Humira at a list price 81% lower than the blockbuster rheumatoid arthritis drug. .

In July, the company launched its branded biosimilar Cyltezo at a 5% discount off Humira’s current list price of $6,922 per month. Boehringer’s close copy of Humira is the only one that can be substituted for the original without consulting a prescriber after it is designated as compatible by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Eight biosimilars of Humira were launched in the United States this year from companies including Novartis (NOVN.S) division Sandoz and Amgen (AMGN.O). Some of these companies are also seeking FDA compatibility status to better compete with Humira and Siltezo.

Until recently, Humira was the world’s best-selling prescription drug. Sales in 2022 were $21.2 billion.

Unlike easy-to-manufacture pills that can be copied and sold as generic drugs at deep discounts once their patents expire, complex biologics made from living cells cannot be precisely replicated. Close substitutes are called biosimilars.

Boehringer executive Stephen Pagnotta said the company works with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) who want to add the cheaper Humira biosimilar to their prescriptions, as well as with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) who act as both insurers and providers, and who typically said it wants to offer a lower-cost version of Siltezo for failing health systems. Ask for aftermarket discounts.

“We felt that a dual-pricing approach would be very helpful in helping payers and PBMs ensure that biosimilars are available to as many patients as possible,” he said.

Pagnotta said Boehringer is negotiating with PBMs to put the unbranded version on the drug list in the coming months.

UnitedHealth Group’s (UNH.N) OptumRX, one of the largest PBMs in the U.S., said it has already committed to covering a lower-cost version of Siltezo in its formulary.

Sandoz and Amgen also launched biosimilars of Humira in two price points. Sandoz’s Hyrimoz is on sale at his 5% discount over his Humira price, and the unbranded version is at his 81% discount.

Healthcare experts say Humira’s deeply discounted version is unlikely to appeal to PBMs such as CVS Health’s (CVS.N) Caremark, Cigna Group’s (CI.N) Express Scripts and Optum RX, so it’s not widely available. It states that it may not be available. It controls 80% of the prescription drug market.

PBMs have come under increasing scrutiny for taking a portion of their fees as a percentage of discounts in negotiations for covered drugs, which some lawmakers say gives higher-priced drugs an advantage in negotiations. This could serve as an incentive to do so.

Our standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.