Sandoz and Samsung Bioepis have received final European Commission approval for their partnered Pyzchiva biosimilar rival to Stelara. But with European competition on ustekinumab due to kick off in just a matter of months, further applicants are also waiting in the wings.

After getting off to a slow start last year, US biosimilar rivals to Humira are beginning to gain more traction. Sandoz is increasing its share on a weekly basis, Alvotech and Teva have struck a deal for their newly-approved interchangeable 100mg/ml biosimilar, and the latest market data shows biosimilars capturing twice as much of the market in Q1 as in Q4 2023.

Sandoz’s biosimilars business was a big earner for the company in 2023. During the firm’s Q4 results call, CEO Richard Saynor provided a detailed breakdown of key products in the biosimilars portfolio and pipeline, as he highlighted sales growth of 26% in the most recent quarter.

An upbeat Sandoz pointed to growth across all its regions and businesses in 2023, as the firm delivered its first annual results as a standalone company.