First
biosimilar Humira launches in India
Indian company Zydus
Cadila launched its copy of AbbVie's Humira (adalimumab) earlier this month for
use in all of the drug's approved autoimmune indications, including rheumatoid
arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing
spondylitis.
The news will be welcomed
by the estimated 12 million people in India who have one or more of these
conditions but have been unable to receive treatment with Humira as the drug is
not available in the country.
Zydus Cadila's drug, which
will be sold under the name Exemptia, is the first of what is likely to be
several biosimilar versions of Humira to be launched in the next couple of
years as the drug's patents expire across the world.
Humira - AbbVieThe situation
is serious for AbbVie as the bulk of the company's revenues come from Humira,
which has been the world's biggest selling prescription medicine for two years
in a row and took in $11.5bn during 2013.
The onset of cheaper
biosimilar versions will hit these revenues hard forcing AbbVie to rely on
newer products, such as its hepatitis C combination and its oncology pipeline.
Regarding the distribution
of Exemptia in India Zydus Cadila said it will offer a dedicated support
programme for patients and caregivers which will provide support and
information regarding access, adherence and awareness.
Zydus Cadila will create a
new division – Zydus Biovation – to market the drug. This new business will
support the drug's launch with a series of medical education events and
scientific symposia for healthcare professionals in India.
Deputy managing director
of Zydus Cadila, Dr Sharvil Patel said: “This therapy will offer a new lease of
life to millions in India who did not have access to this therapy so far. We
are happy to offer them hope, freedom from pain and better quality of life
through Exemptia.”
Other companies with
ambitions to launch a biosimilar version of Humira include Amgen, which has
posted phase III data backing the drug's equivalency in psoriasis.
Boehringer Ingelheim is
also working on a biosimilar Humira in addition to biosimilar versions of
Lantus, Avastin and MabThera/Rituxan.
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