Following the news that the first subcutaneous (SC) formulation of Celltrion’s Remsima (infliximab-dyyb/CT-P13) was granted marketing authorization by the European Commission (EC) for all indications in adults for which the intravenous formulation is also approved*, GlobalData notes that, in order for Celltrion to further erode market share of its rival Remicade – and other anti-TNF agents in Europe, it will have to be priced intelligently as cost effective biologics are favoured by payers and regulators in this region.

Patrick Aiyes, MEng, Senior Healthcare Analyst at GlobalData comments “According to European payers interviewed by GlobalData, there has been an uptake in the use of SC biologics to avoid hospital traffic amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a reduction in the prescriptions of Remicade. An SC formulation of Remicade will help to preserve the market share for Remsima over competing anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biologics such as Humira and Simponi because, as per the results of a pivotal study, SC injections of Remisima can reduce treatment time to approximately 2-5 minutes – as opposed to 30 minutes for an IV infusion.”

“Although an SC formulation of Remsima will discourage drug switches, it is important to note this does not necessarily guarantee an increase in patient share. Key opinion leaders interviewed by GlobalData have suggested that administration is often a secondary factor when selecting a drug. Additionally, according to a European Payer interviewed by GlobalData, SC biologics are usually preferred because it is more cost effective than using IV formulations due to tariff costs for administration.”

*  including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis (PsO)

Want to find out more? Contact Rebecca Panks, PR Executive at GlobalData (pr@globaldata.com)