Humira biosimilars first entered the US in January 2023, led by Amgen’s Amjevita [1]. Now, several biosimilars are available. In February 2024, AbbVie still held 96% of the market, however, with actions of Evernorth and CVS, this may start to reduce.

Evernorth’s high- and low-concentration interchangeable biosimilar will be available starting June 2024. It will be produced for Evernorth's affiliate private label pharmaceutical distributor, Quallent Pharmaceuticals, through agreements with multiple manufacturers. It will be available at US$0 out of pocket for most patients through Quallent's Copay Assistance Program. It is estimated that this will save individual patients circa US$3,500 per year.

CVS Caremark took Humira off its major national commercial formularies in favour of biosimilars, and changes took effect in April 2024 [2]. The large spike in biosimilars sales can largely be attributed to the launch of one particular Sandoz’ biosimilar Hyrimoz [3]. Hyrimoz is jointly marketed with Cordavis, a subsidiary that CVS created to sell any number of biosimilar medicines in the US.

Adalimumab is a monoclonal antibody and is a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor used to treat a range of inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. The originator, Humira first launched in 2003 and has since evolved in many ways including new concentrations, citrate-free versions, latex-free delivery devices, and smaller needle gauges [4, 5].

Related articles
Coherus retracts AbbVie restraining order in Humira biosimilar dispute 

AbbVie makes more deals delaying adalimumab biosimilars in the US 

References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Coherus: lowest price adalimumab biosimilars announced [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2024 Jun 5]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/news/coherus-lowest-price-adalimumab-biosimilars-announced
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. CVS Caremark removes Humira in the US and Sandoz launches Hyrimoz in Europe [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2024 Jun 5]. Available from:
 www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/cvs-caremark-removes-humira-in-the-us-and-sandoz-launches-hyrimoz-in-europe
3. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. CVS’ Cordavis to launch Sandoz’s Hyrimoz (adalimumab) [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2024 Jun 5]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/general/cvs-cordavis-to-launch-sandoz-s-hyrimoz-adalimumab
4. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Humira (adalimumab) biosimilars pipeline [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2024 Jun 5]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/reports/humira-adalimumab-biosimilars-pipeline

Permission granted to reproduce for personal and non-commercial use only. All other reproduction, copy or reprinting of all or part of any ‘Content’ found on this website is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. Contact the publisher to obtain permission before redistributing.

Copyright – Unless otherwise stated all contents of this website are © 2024 Pro Pharma Communications International. All Rights Reserved.