Hospira's Inflectra becomes Canada's first biosimilar
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Hospira has launched its biosimilar version of infliximab, Inflectra, in Canada, making it the first subsequent entry biologic (SEB) monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy in the country. It was approved by Health Canada for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and plaque psoriasis. The reference product J&J's Remicade recorded sales of nearly CAN$800m in Canada in 2014. Canada is unusual in that the majority of infliximab infusions take place outside of hospitals. Hospira has developed an in-depth patient assistance program to help provide infusion-clinic access to qualifying patients across Canada, along with numerous other patient services. Inflectra is already available in 26 European countries and Australia. In 2009, Hospira entered into an agreement with South Korean company, Celltrion, to obtain rights to Inflectra in Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.