Adalimumab originator versus adalimumab biosimilars in inflammatory bowel disease in Australia

ABSTRACT

Background

Biosimilar adalimumabs have improved treatment access, but without any clinical advantage, distributors rely on delivery device design-enhancements, support services, and removal of painful excipients to capture market share. Prescribers, however, are often unaware of these differences. This article compares and contrasts originator versus biosimilar adalimumab agents to identify key differences that might influence adalimumab selection.

Research design and methods

We reviewed listed adalimumab biosimilars in Australia and compared them to the originator adalimumab. Similarities and differences identified were confirmed with the manufacturers via two rounds of interviews: the first to collate a list of features and benefits of their product, and the second to consolidate and confirm the data.

Results

The originator adalimumab Humira [by AbbVie, U.S.A] and four adalimumab biosimilars (Amgevita [by Amgen, U.S.A], Hadlima [by Organon, U.S.A], Hyrimoz [by Sandoz, Switzerland], and Idacio [by Fresenius Kabi, Germany]) are included in this review. Key differences identified include product formulation, dosages available, delivery devices, physician support, patient support, and the supply of other biosimilar products by the company.

Conclusion

Adalimumab biosimilars are different from each other with unique advantages and disadvantages likely to influence prescriber and patients. Therefore, the choice of agent should be individualized to the needs of the patient and the healthcare service.

KEYWORDS:

• Biosimilar
• adalimumab
• biological agent
• inflammatory bowel disease
• rheumatoid arthritis
• patient support

Declaration of interest

S Paramsothy has served on advisory boards for AbbVie and has received speaker fees from AbbVie, Dr Falk Pharma, Ferring, Janssen, and Takeda. RW Leong is on the advisory boards of AbbVie, Aspen, BMS, Celgene, Celltrion, Chiesi, Ferring, Glutagen, Hospira, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Prometheus Biosciences, and Takeda; and received research grants from Joanna Tiddy grant of University of Sydney, Celltrion, Shire, Janssen, Takeda, Gastroenterological Society of Australia, NHMRC, Gutsy Group, and Pfizer. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Ethics statement

Ethical approval was not required for this study.

Author contributions

Conception: E Anderson. RW Leong; Design: E Anderson, RW Leong; Acquisition, analysis: E Anderson; Interpretation of data: E Anderson, K Waller, AG Tamilarasan, H Lin, S Paramsothy, RW Leong; Draft, revision: E Anderson, K Waller, AG Tamilarasan, H Lin, S Paramsothy, RW Leong; Final approval: E Anderson, K Waller, AG Tamilarasan, H Lin, S Paramsothy, RW Leong.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.