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Home / News / BioBlast®

EXPLORE OUR

BioBlast®

Explore our interactive biosimilar news updates, collating tailored reports by brand, INN, originator/biosimilar applicant, litigation, region, or date. Alternatively, review our weekly BioBlast™ updates below.
Scientific Name: infliximab

2024

February 28, 2024

On 28 February 2024, Celltrion announced that its first batch of Zymfentra® (SC infliximab) arrived in Atlanta, with three more shipments expected to arrive by early March this year.  Zymfentra® was approved by the FDA in October 2023. 

Zymfentra® (SC infliximab), also known as Remsima SC in Europe, is the world’s first subcutaneous injection of infliximab.  Zymfentra® can be self-administered increasing patient convivence and reducing hospital burden.  Celltrion aims to distribute Zymfentra® to US wholesalers by mid-March.  

Zymfentra® was approved by the FDA in October 2023. 

February 20, 2024

Health Canada announced that Celltrion’s Remsima™ SC (SC infliximab) has been approved for maintenance therapy in adults with moderate to severe active ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.  Remsima™ SC was previously approved by Health Canada for RA on 28 January 2021.  

This follows Celltrion’s success in January 2024 in securing the Norwegian government tender for the supply of Remsima SC until 2026.  

February 7, 2024

On 7 February 2024, the Korea IT Times reported that Celltrion announced that it has won the Norwegian government’s tender to supply Remsima SC® (infliximab biosimilar) and Yuflyma® (adalimumab biosimilar) until 2026.  

Celltrion aims to expand further into the Nordic area with plans to enter into Denmark with Remsima SC® sometime in 2024.  

January 25, 2024

A study published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases on 25 January 2024 concluded that 130 US patients with inflammatory bowel disease who switched from Janssen’s Remicade® (infliximab) to two different biosimilars were not associated with flares compared to patients who received Remicade® or underwent a single biosimilar switch.

January 12, 2024

Korea Biomedical Review reported that Celltrion has won bids to supply Yuflyma®, biosimilar to AbbVie’s Humira® (adalimumab) in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) and Sicily in Italy, as well as in the south eastern region of Netherlands. Celltrion will supply Yuflyma® for four and a half years in FVG, two years in Sicily, and for the next three years in the Netherlands.  Celltrion also won a bid to supply Remsima®, biosimilar to Janssen’s Remicade® (infliximab) in Sicily for two years.

On 18 September 2023, Celltrion won bids to supply Yuflyma® in five other regions of Italy, amounting to 20% of the Italian adalimumab market.

January 5, 2024

The Korea Biomedical Review has reported that Celltrion confirmed it has increased Australian sales of Remsima SC®, biobetter to Remsima® (IV product), biosimilar to Janssen’s Remicade® (infliximab), in the first nine months of 2023 by 48% year on year.  Celltrion expects Remsima SC® to generate annual sales in Australia of more than AUD$17M in 2023.  Remsima SC® was approved by the TGA on 12 November 2020.

2023

October 30, 2023

A Sandoz study published in Drug Safety found that eight Sandoz biosimilars (adalimumab (Hyrimoz®), epoetin alfa (Binocrit®), etanercept (Erelzi®), filgrastim (Zarzio®), infliximab (Zessly®), pegfilgrastim (Ziextenzo®), rituximab (Rixathon®), and somatropin (Omnitrope®) “can be used as safely as their respective reference biologics” based on real-world experience of all eight marketed products.   The study summarised post-approval cumulative patient exposure and safety experience for the eight products based on the available pharmacovigilance data from Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSURs) and the corresponding PSUR assessment reports authored by health authorities, where available, as of 31 January 2023.  The authors also concluded that “it is reasonable to believe that similar conclusions about safety may be reached for other biosimilars developed and approved to the high standards as are already in place by major health authorities such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)”.

October 23, 2023

Celltrion announced that the FDA has approved its subcutaneous formulation of Zymfentra® (infliximab -dyyb), biosimilar to Janssen’s Remicade®, as maintenance treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) following treatment with an IV infliximab.  This is the first FDA approved subcutaneous formulation of infliximab.  Zymfentra® is marketed as Remsima SC® in Europe.

On 2 October 2023, Celltrion announced that the FDA approved Yuflyma®, biosimilar to AbbVie’s Humira® (adalimumab), in 20mg (pre-filled syringe) and 80mg (pre-filled autoinjector and pre-filled syringe) dosage forms.

October 3, 2023

An FDA meta-analysis found that there are no differences in safety profiles or immunogenicity rates in patients who switched to biosimilars compared to those who remained on an originator biologic or biosimilar.  Biologics assessed in the study include adalimumab, epoetin alfa-epbx, etanercept, filgrastim, infliximab, insulin glargine, rituximab, and trastuzumab.  

On 18 September 2023, the FDA released its draft industry guidance for biosimilar and interchangeable biosimilar product labelling.   

September 29, 2023

ProciseDx announced that its Procise ADL and Procise IFX therapeutic drug monitoring tests for adalimumab (AbbVie’s Humira® and Amgen’s biosimilar Amgevita®) and infliximab (Janssen’s Remicade® and biosimilars Inflectra® (Pfizer) and Renflexis® (Organon)) have received FDA marketing authorization. The tests quantify levels of adalimumab or infliximab in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) based on time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer immunoassays using the ProciseDx Analyzer and Lumiphore chemistry.

June 1, 2023

Celltrion has received marketing authorization from the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (MEDSAFE) for Remsima® SC, biosimilar to Janssen’s Remicade® (infliximab). It has been approved for the full range of indications previously approved for Remicade®, namely rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, adult Crohn’s disease, and adult ulcerative colitis.

This news comes as Celltrion launched Remsima® SC in Brazil on 22 May 2023, and has received approval in several other jurisdictions (EuropeKorea and Canada) for treatment of various inflammatory conditions.

May 26, 2023

A study published in JAMA Network Open has found in a systematic review and meta-analysis that biosimilars of adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab were associated with clinically equivalent effects in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with their reference biologics (AbbVie’s Humira®, Amgen’s Enbrel® and J&J’s Remicade® respectively).  The authors assessed 25 head-to-head trials (including 10,642 randomised participants) and found the biosimilars were associated with similar rates of adverse events, study discontinuation, and immunogenicity responses compared with reference biologics.

Only two weeks ago on 8 June 2023, the Ph III results of Samsung Bioepis’ SB15 (aflibercept biosimilar) published in JAMA Ophthalmology showed equivalent efficacy and comparable safety, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity to reference aflibercept.

May 22, 2023

The Korea Herald has reported that Celltrion has launched its Remsima® SC (infliximab, bio-better to Janssen’s Remicade®) in Brazil, the largest pharmaceutical market in South America.  Celltrion is also selling Remsima® and Truxima® (rituximab, biosimilar to Biogen’s Rituxan®) in Brazil and plans to introduce Remsima SC in Mexico, Colombia and Peru during the second half of 2023.

Celltrion recently presented its positive phase III results for Remsima® SC as a sub-cutaneous maintenance therapy for IBD patients.

May 4, 2023

Organon has published its results for Q1 2023, demonstrating biosimilars revenue increased 18% and 20% ex-FX.  The results indicate that this increase was primarily driven by Renflexis® (biosimilar to Janssen’s Remicade® infliximab-abda) which grew 34% ex-FX due to continued demand growth in the United States and Canada as well as Brenzys™ (biosimilar to Amgen’s Enbrel® etanercept) which grew 36% ex-FX as a result of timing of tenders in Brazil.  The report confirms that the ongoing competitive pressures in Europe more than offset strong US growth in Ontruzant®(biosimilar to Genentech’s Herceptin® trastuzumab-dttb).

Organon only launched Ontruzant® and Aybintio® (biosimilar to Genentech’s Avastin® bevacizumab) in Canada in November 2022.

May 1, 2023

A study published in Health Affairs has suggested the US 340B Drug Pricing Program has reduced biosimilar uptake in hospitals that participate in the Program.  The 340B Program offers eligible safety-net hospitals (almost one third of US hospitals) to purchase originator medicines at a significant discount.  The authors analysed figures on filgrastim and infliximab and estimated that 340B program eligibility was associated with a 22.9% reduction in biosimilar adoption.

The research was sponsored by the Commonwealth Fund.

March 25, 2023

A study published in Rheumatology and Therapy has found that Mabpharm’s infliximab biosimilar candidate CMAB008 was equivalent to Janssen’s Remicade® in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis treated with basic MTX.  Remicade® is produced in mouse myeloma SP2/0 cells, but CMAB008 is produced in CHO cells.

This comes only weeks after Celltrion Healthcare presented its positive phase III results for its infliximab biobetter Remsima SC® as a sub-cutaneous maintenance therapy for patients with IBD.

March 15, 2023

The US District Court for Eastern Pennsylvania has made final orders to approve a US$25M settlement in the anti-trust class action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Janssen Biotech Inc relating to the supply of Remicade® (infliximab) between 5 April 2016 and 28 February 2022.  The Court also issued a Memorandum on Motion for Final Approval, finding that the Plaintiffs’ Motion for Final Approval of Settlement was appropriate.

The matter related to a class action alleging that J&J and Janssen engaged in anticompetitive conduct related to the supply of Remicade® in violation of federal and state antitrust laws and state consumer protection laws.  The action alleged that the two companies sought to block competition by new entrants in the infliximab market.

In July 2021, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson settled antitrust litigation arising from the terms of J&J’s payer contracts which restricted reimbursement for Pfizer’s Inflectra® except if Remicade® was first proven ineffective for any particular patient.

March 3, 2023

Celltrion Healthcare presented its positive phase III results for its infliximab biobetter Remsima SC® as a sub-cutaneous maintenance therapy for patients with IBD.  Remsima SC® (CT-P13 SC) is Celltrion’s subcutaneous re-formulation of Johnson & Johnson’s infliximab (Remicade®).  

Celltrion’s ABLA for Remsima SC® was filed with FDA on 22 December 2022 for use in ulcerative colitis  and Crohn’s disease.  Remsima SC® has been approved in several other jurisdictions (Europe, Korea and Canada) for treatment of various inflammatory conditions.  

March 1, 2023

A new study published in Gastroenterology Research and Practice has found that British Columbia’s 2019 ‘Biosimilars Initiative’ was not associated with harmful impacts on medications and health services use.  The Initiative required IBD patients to switch from Johnson & Johnson’s Remicade® to an infliximab biosimilar (Pfizer’s Inflectra® or Organon’s Renflexis®).

February 17, 2023

A study published in the United European Gastroenterology Journal has found that multiple successive switches from Janssen’s Remicade® to biosimilars were effective and safe in IBD patients, regardless of   the number of switches.   The team performed a prospective observational cohort study of three switch programs, including Janssen’s Remicade® to CTP-13 (Pfizer’s Inflectra® in US/ Celltrion’s Remsima® in EU), CT-P13 to SB2 (Samsung Bioepis’ Flixabi® in EU, Renflexis® in the US and Remaloce® in Korea), and from SB2 to CTP-13.

The study was funded by UK Research and Innovation Grans, the Medical Research Council, The University of Edinburgh and the Wellcome Trust.

February 16, 2023

Organon published its results for Q4 and full year ended 31 December 2022, reporting a second consecutive year of double-digit revenue growth in biosimilars. Organon reported that this growth was primarily drive by double-digit growth from Renflexis® (biosimilar to Johnson & Johnson’s Remicade® infliximab), Ontruzant® (biosimilar to Roche’s Herceptin® trastuzumab), Hadlima® (biosimilar to AbbVie’s Humira® adalimumab) and Aybintio® (biosimilar to Roche’s Avastin bevacizumab).

2022

December 22, 2022

Celltrion announced that it has submitted a BLA for CT-P13 SC (subcutaneous biosimilar infliximab) with the FDA.  CT-P13 is the first and only known infliximab to have both intravenous and subcutaneous formulations.

December 20, 2022

Ontario announced that it will adopt a biosimilars switching program from 31 March 2023.  Patients currently treated with Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate), Enbrel® (etanercept), Humalog® (insulin lispro), Humira® (adalimumab), Lantus® (insulin glargine), NovoRapid® (insulin aspart), Remicade® (infliximab), and Rituxan® (rituximab) will be required to transition to the biosimilar version by 29 December 2023.  Ontario is the 8th jurisdiction to adopt a biosimilars switching program, following British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick, Quebec, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan.

July 19, 2022

Johnson & Johnson reported a 53% YoY decrease in exports of Remicade® (infliximab) from the US suggesting a very significant decline in global Remicade sales since the first approved biosimilar in 2013.

July 18, 2022

Hikma Pharmaceuticals announced that it has entered into a commercialisation agreement with Celltrion in relation to Celltrion’s YuflymaTM (biosimilar citrate-free adalimumab).  Under the agreement, Hikma will gain exclusive commercialisation rights to YuflymaTM in all of its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets.  Hikma has launched a number of Celltrion biosimilars: Truxima® (rituximab), Remsima® (infliximab) and Herzuma® (trastuzumab), with the launch of Remsima® SC (subcutaneous infliximab) in progress.

May 5, 2022

Korea Biomedical Review reported that Boditech Med has obtained approval in Korea for its AFIAS infliximab system. AFIAS infliximab is a therapeutic drug monitoring device used to measure infliximab levels in the blood and check for adverse reactions.

February 28, 2022

The Korea Herald reported that Samsung Bioepis has secured a total of 10 biosimilar products on its 10th year anniversary.  Six biosimilars have been approved globally: infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, trastuzumab, bevacizumab and ranibizumab.  Eculizumab has recently completed its Ph III clinical trial, and three other biosimilar candidates are under Ph III trials.

February 18, 2022

Celltrion released two data sets on the subcutaneous (SC) form of Remsima® (biosimilar infliximab).  Celltrion reported that switching from IV to SC infliximab leads to higher infliximab trough levels and a lower risk of relapse in patients with IBD.

February 14, 2022

The Korea Herald reported that Celltrion’s Remsima® (biosimilar infliximab) has captured 33.7% of the US market for infliximab since its approval in April 2016.

January 26, 2022

Vizient announced that remdesivir has replaced Humira® (adalimumab) as the most expensive drug by total member spend in its Winter 2022 Market Outlook.  Pembrolizumab, ustekinumab, ocrelizumab, denosumab, infliximab, nivolumab and tocilizumab also featured in the top 10 most expensive drugs by member spend.

2021

November 10, 2021

Celltrion announced its Q3 2021 financial results. Celltrion reported that Remsima® (infliximab biosimilar) has obtained a 53% market share in Europe and 21% market share in Japan. Celltrion reported that Truxima® (rituximab biosimilar) has obtained a 40% market share in Europe and Herzuma® (trastuzumab biosimilar) has obtained a 14% market share in Europe. Celltrion also reported that it expects to launch biosimilar bevacizumab in 2022, biosimilar ustekinumab in 2023, biosimilar omalizumab and aflibercept in 2024 and biosimilar denosumab in 2025.

October 3, 2021

Celltrion presented two new data sets on the use of Remsima® SC (biosimilar infliximab) in inflammatory bowel disease in a poster presentation at United European Gastroenterology Week 2021.

July 23, 2021

Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) settled the antitrust litigation relating to Pfizer’s Inflectra® (infliximab biosimilar). Pfizer had alleged that J&J’s payer contracts restricted the use of Inflectra® by denying reimbursement unless Remicade was first proven ineffective for patients, causing a reluctance among pharmacies to stock Inflectra®. Details of the settlement have not been published.

July 20, 2021

Sorrento announced that China’s NMPA has granted marketing approval for Mabpharm’s infliximab ‘biobetter’. Sorrento holds exclusive commercial rights to the product outside of China and disclosed that it plans to file a BLA in the EU and US in 2021.

July 14, 2021

The UK’s NICE finalised its guidance on the treatment of moderate rheumatoid arthritis, recommending the use of adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and abatacept for patients with moderate rheumatoid arthritis which is inadequately controlled on conventional therapies.

June 17, 2021

Nichi-Iko announced it has entered a licence and supply agreement with Laboratorio Elea Phoenix for a biosimilar infliximab product. Under the agreement Nichi-Iko will supply the product to Elea for the Argentine market.

June 10, 2021

The UK’s NICE published final draft guidance recommending adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab for the treatment of moderate rheumatoid arthritis on the NHS. Previously, biologics had been recommended only for severe rheumatoid arthritis.

June 7, 2021

Celltrion launched Remsima SC® (subcutaneous infliximab biosimilar) in Canada.  Remsima SC® is indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

May 14, 2021

Sarcoidosis News reported a new study demonstrates that patients with sarcoidosis can safely switch from Remicade® (infliximab) or Inflectra® (biosimilar infliximab) to Flixabi® (biosimilar infliximab) and maintain similar clinical benefits.  Infliximab is not indicated for sarcoidosis, but is commonly used off-label and has been shown to improve lung function in refractory patients.

May 3, 2021

Merck reported the vision, focus and business model for its new standalone company, Organon.  Merck disclosed that Organon with have a direct sales presence in 58 markets, with key growth drivers in Organon’s biosimilars portfolio expected to be Renflexis® (biosimilar infliximab), Aybintio® (biosimilar bevacizumab) and Hadlima® (biosimilar adalimumab).

April 23, 2021

Samsung Bioepis released its Q1 2021 financial results.  Global sales for Benepali® (biosimilar etanercept), Flixabi® (biosimilar infliximab) and Imraldi® (biosimilar adalimumab) increased 3.9% quarter-on-quarter, with Benepali® accounting for the largest share of those sales.

March 31, 2021

Celltrion received a positive CHMP opinion for Remsima® subcut (subcutaneous infliximab). Remsima® SC was recommended for the direct use without IV loading in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

February 1, 2021

Celltrion announces it has received a notice of compliance from Health Canada for Remsima® SC (subcutaneous infliximab). Remsima® has been approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

January 27, 2021

Health care performance improvement company Vizient releases its Winter 2021 Pharmacy Market Outlook. Vizient projected that the greatest price increases to members would occur in Humira® (adalimumab), with a 7.5% price increase predicted over the next 18 months. Adalimumab also topped the list of greatest total spend by product among Vizient members, followed by pembrolizumab, rituximab, infliximab, ustekinumab, nivolumab and denosumab. New figures also showed trastuzumab biosimilars have captured a significant market share, contributing to 39% of cost to members in September 2020.

2020

December 11, 2020

A new long-term efficacy and safety study demonstrated the biosimilarity of Celltrion’s CT-P10/Truxima® (infliximab) to Rituxan® at 27 months in patients with low-tumor burden follicular lymphoma.

November 12, 2020

The TGA approves Celltrion’s subcutaneous “biobetter” infliximab product Remsima® in auto-injection pen and PFS presentations. This is the first subcut infliximab product to be approved in Australia.

October 26, 2020

Samsung Bioepis announces results from two post-marketing studies of Renflexis® (biosimilar infliximab) in Veteran Affairs patients with IBD. The first study evaluated the safety of switching from reference infliximab to Renflexis®, finding that patients who were on reference product or biosimilar infliximab can remain stable after switching to another biosimilar without major safety concerns. The second study looked at utilisation patterns of infliximab for IBD, finding that the uptake of Samsung Bioepis’ Renflexis® (following its listing as the preferred product on the Veterans Affairs National Formulary Policy) was faster than the adoption of the previous biosimilar listed in the year prior.

October 10, 2020

Celltrion presents positive interim results from Ph I trials of CT-P13 of subcutaneous Remsima® (biosimilar infliximab) in IBD at the UEG Week Virtual 2020. The results indicated that subcutaneous infliximab may be associated with better clinical outcomes compared to intravenous infliximab.

August 20, 2020

Intract Pharma and Celltrion announce an agreement to jointly develop the world’s first oral antibody therapeutic for the treatment of IBD. The infliximab product has been cleared by the UK’s MHRA to proceed to Ph 1b/2a clinical trials in patients with IBD during the second half of 2021.

August 14, 2020

The Centre for Biosimilars reports that Celltrion has refuted the claims of a July 2020 study which critiqued the methods used by Celltrion and the FDA to determine whether Remsima® (biosimilar infliximab) was equivalent to Remicade®. Among its critiques of the study, Celltrion has argued that the study does not reflect the FDA review procedure and the principles of the regulatory guidelines.

August 7, 2020

Celltrion releases its Q2 FY20 earnings report. Celltrion reported that Remsima SC® remains in Ph III clinical trials in the US.

July 27, 2020

Celltrion announces the European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for Remsima® (biosimilar infliximab) subcutaneous formulation for the treatment of adult patients with ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.

July 15, 2020

In an interview with the Centre for Biosimilars, Celltrion’s head of marketing, Byoungseo Choi reports Remsima® (biosimilar infliximab) is showing promise as a potential treatment for COVID-19.

June 29, 2020

Celltrion announces EU’s CHMP recommended expanding the marketing authorisation for its subcut Remsima® (biosimilar infliximab) to include the following additional indications: IBD, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. This extends the indications beyond RA which was approved in November 2019.

June 10, 2020

The University of Oxford announces Celltrion’s infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 (Inflectra®, Remsima®) would be one of the products trialled in the CATALYST Study. This study is examining possible treatments for patients with COVID-19. It is hoped that the CT-P13 will prevent the immune system response which leads to cytokine storm syndrome in COVID patients.

January 16, 2020

Health New England, a nonprofit health plan in Massachusetts, announces savings of $1.7 million in the past year by reaching 93% utilisation of biosimilar infliximab.

January 6, 2020

Sorrento Therapeutics announces partner Mabpharm has submitted a New Drug Application for its biosimilar infliximab to the Chinese NMPA.

2019

December 6, 2019

Amgen announced that the FDA has approved Avsola® (infliximab) for all Remicade® approved indications.

November 6, 2019

Biogen and Samsung Bioepis announce partnership for the commercialisation of biosimilar ranibizumab and aflibercept for major markets world side including the US, Canada, Europe, Japan and Australia. Biogen has also acquired exclusive commercialisation rights for its anti-TNF portfolio, including BENEPALI® (etanercept), FLIXABI® (infliximab) and IMRALDI® (adalimumab), in China.  Under the agreement, Biogen will make one $100 million upfront payment, with up to $210 million payable at additional development, regulatory and sales-based milestones.

November 2, 2019

Pfizer releases positive interim analysis of data from clinical trials of Pfizer’s Inflectra®.

October 19, 2019

Amgen releases results of Phase I clinical trials of infliximab biosimilar, reporting PK similarity as well as similar safety and immunogenicity profiles.

September 22, 2019

CMHP adopts positive opinion for additional indication for Remsima®, to include the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

September 3, 2019

Celltrion announces patnership with Lonza for the production of Remsima®. Lonza will now work within Celltrion’s network to complement Celltrion’s own production capacity.

July 31, 2019

Celltrion announces commencement of patient enrolment for Phase III clinical trials of subcutaneous biosimilar infliximab,CT-P13.

July 18, 2019

Celltrion announces creation of JV Co with Nan Fung Group for the commercialisation of Remsima®, Truxima® and Herzuma® in China. The joint venture company, Vcell Healthcare will obtain exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise these three products in mainland China.

July 1, 2019

Amgen withdraws its Marketing Authorisation application for biosimilar infliximab ABP710, citing a change in product strategy.

April 19, 2019

Sandoz reports results of long term studies (up to 54 weeks) on the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of infliximab biosimilar.  This product was initially developed by Pfizer and acquired by Sandoz.

March 14, 2019

UK Competition and Markets Authority closes investigation into Merck discount scheme after finding no grounds for further action. This decision is contrary to the provisional findings in May 2017 which indicated a breach of competition law.

March 8, 2019

Celltrion claims results of 1 year comparison study of subcutaneous formulation of infliximab biosimilar demonstrate comparable efficacy and safety with intravenous formulation.

January 6, 2019

Celltrion announces it will establish a direct sales network minimising sales partners, including for its biosimilar infliximab, Remsima®.

2018

December 17, 2018

Amgen files BLA for biosimilar infliximab.

December 15, 2018

French study supports the use of Remsima® in the treatment of Crohn’s disease, showing equivalency to reference product in safety and effectiveness.

December 2, 2018

The EMA accepts Celltrion’s application for a subcut formulation of biosimilar infliximab, Remsima SC®.

August 22, 2018

Pfizer accuses originators of using scare campaigns to undermine confidence in biosimilars in a citizen’s petition seeking guidance on the representations which can be made about biosimilar products. Pfizer criticises the slower uptake of biosimilars in the US in comparison to Europe, alleging that false and misleading statements made by originators have contributed to this.

June 27, 2018

Amgen releases results of Phase III study of infliximab biosimilar, revealing no clinically meaningful differences to Remicade®.

June 25, 2018

Celltrion launches infliximab biosimilar in Libya and Tunisia. The product will be distributed through Celltrion’s local partner Hikma Pharmaceuticals and is part of Celltrion’s overall plan to expand sales networks across Africa and into the Middle East.

June 15, 2018

Sandoz reports results of long term switching studies for biosimilars Zessly®(infliximab) and Erelzi® (etanercept) in RA.

June 15, 2018

Biocad announces phase III clinical trials of ASART-2, biosimilar infliximab, reveal non-inferiority to Remicade at week 54.

June 12, 2018

Celltrion reports preliminary results for new sub-cut formulation of infliximab.

June 12, 2018

Walgreen and Kroger also file suit against J&J in the Pennsylvania District Court, echoing Pfizer’s earlier (Nov 17) complaint alleging J&J has engaged in anti-competitive behaviour regarding the US sale of Remicade®.

May 24, 2018

Sandoz announces it has received EU approval for Zessly® (inflliximab) for all originator indications.

May 15, 2018

FDA approves epoetin alfa biosimilar for the treatment of anaemia caused by chronic kidney disease, chemotherapy or use of zidovudine.

March 23, 2018

Sandoz announces that it has received a positive CHMP opinion for biosimilar infliximab Zessly®.

January 23, 2018

US Court of Appeals (Fed Cir) affirms patent invalidity.

January 10, 2018

Biocad obtains approval for its biosimilar infliximab in Russia.

2017

December 13, 2017

FDA approves biosimilar infliximab, Ixifi® for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriosis.

November 10, 2017

Janssen withdraws suit against Samsung Bioepis filed in the District Court of New Jersey for patent infringement under the BPCIA in May 2017.

October 29, 2017

Celltrion releases phase III results for switching studies comparing Biosimilar infliximab CT-P13 (marketed by Celltrion as Remsima® and by Pfizer as Inflectra®) and Remicade®, and phase I (open label) studies for sub-cutaneous infliximab.

September 6, 2017

FDA releases Form 483 raising 12 issues arising from the May/June inspections of the Celltrion Incheon biologics manufacturing facility, where Celltrion and Pfizer/Hospira’s biosimilar Inflectra® (infliximab-dyyb) is made.

August 1, 2017

Merck’s biosimilar infliximab (Renflexis®), co-developed with Samsung Bioepis, is the second biosimilar to be PBS listed in Australia.

July 24, 2017

Samsung Biopeis launches Renflexis® , biosimilar to J&J’s Remicade® in the US following its April approval in the US.

May 19, 2017

Janssen commences BPCIA proceedings against Samsung Bioepis in the District Court of New Jersey based on Samsung’s aBLA application for Renflexis® infliximab-abda, biosimilar to J&J’s Remicade®.

April 24, 2017

FDA approves Samsung Biopeis’ Renflexis® infliximab-abda, biosimilar to J&J’s Remicade® for all eligible indications.

2016

November 25, 2016

Commercial (at risk) launch by Pfizer/Celltrion of Inflectra® (infliximab-dyyb).

May 30, 2016

Biogen/Samsung Biopeis receive EMA approval for Flixabi®, biosimilar Infliximab.

April 5, 2016

Pfizer/Celltrion received FDA approval for Inflectra®, biosimilar infliximab.

April 1, 2016

EU’s CHMP gives green light for Flixabi®, Samsung Bioepis’ biosimilar infliximab.

January 11, 2016

MabTech announces successful Chinese Ph III clinical trials for Sorrento’s “biosimilar/biobetter” cetuximab STI-001, and infliximab STI-002.

2015

December 1, 2015

Hospira’s biosimilar infliximab becomes the first biosimilar infliximab to be PBS listed in Australia.

2014

January 15, 2014

CA approval for Celltrion/Hospira’s infliximab biosimilar products to be marketed as Remsima® and Inflectra®.

2013

September 10, 2013

Hospira/Celltrion’s infliximab biosimilar products approved in EU (Remsima® and Inflectra®).

BioBlast® extract From September 10, 2013 to February 28, 2024