Boehringer Ingelheim, GoodRx Partner to Lower Costs of Adalimumab-adbm for Patients

Credit: Adobe Stock/ILOVEART

Boehringer Ingelheim and GoodRx have partnered to offer both high-concentration and low-concentration citrate-free formulations of biosimilar adalimumab-adbm (Cyltezo) at a 92% discount from the reference drug (adalimumab, Humira) list price.¹

The biosimilar is indicated to treat a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.¹

As of today, the formulations are now available as a pre-filled syringe (10 mg/0.2 mL, 20 mg/0.4 mL, 40 mg/0.8 mL, or 40 mg/0.4 mL) or autoinjector (40 mg/0.8 mL or 40 mg/0.4 mL).¹

Boehringer Ingelheim collaborated with GoodRx, the leading prescription savings platform available in the US, to create a patient affordability initiative to provide patients with citrate-free formulations at the exclusive cost of $550 per 2-pack, marking an important step in improving access, affordability, and outcomes among an historically high-cost therapeutic category. Patients, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase the biosimilar at over 70,000 pharmacies in the US.¹

“Patients with certain chronic inflammatory diseases who do not have insurance or are underinsured may not be able to afford essential biologic medicines, including biosimilars, to treat their disease,” Chris Marsh, senior vice president of Value and Access at Boehringer Ingelheim, said in a statement.¹ “Partnering with GoodRx to offer our biosimilar Adalimumab-adbm at a low price to these patients helps us deliver on our commitment to lowering financial barriers and improving access to critical treatments.”

Adalimumab-adbm, a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor, was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an interchangeable biosimilar to the reference product in October 2021. The approval was based on positive data from the phase 3 randomized VOLTAIRE-X clinical trial, which evaluated the effects of multiple switches from adalimumab to adalimumab-adbm.²

Interchangeable biosimilars, such as adalimumab-adbm, produce the same result as the reference drug and patients can switch between the two without increased risks or reduced efficacy. These drugs meet additional requirements outlined by the FDA and can be auto-substituted for the reference product by a pharmacist.³

Since the initial approval, the FDA approved an autoinjector pen version in May 2023, available in 2-, 4-, and 6-pack options, which has been touted by The Arthritis Foundation as an “Ease of Use” product.⁴ In May 2024, the FDA approved the high-concentrate, citrate-free formulation of subcutaneous biosimilar.⁵

“For over a decade, GoodRx has been working to help reduce the costs of medications for patients, and we recognize the critical need for ensuring biosimilars are affordable to all,” Dorothy Gemmell, chief commercial officer at GoodRx, stated.¹ “We’re excited to leverage the reach and scale of the GoodRx platform to help address this access gap and make Adalimumab-adbm more accessible to patients.”

References

1. ^{Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. Boehringer Ingelheim and GoodRx announce exclusive patient affordability initiative for Adalimumab-ADBM injection, Boehringer’s biosimilar to Humira®. PR Newswire: press release distribution, targeting, monitoring and marketing. July 18, 2024. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boehringer-ingelheim-and-goodrx-announce-exclusive-patient-affordability-initiative-for-adalimumab-adbm-injection-boehringers-biosimilar-to-humira-302199865.html.}
2. ^{Butera A. FDA approves Adalimumab-adbm as first interchangeable biosimilar with Adalimumab. HCP Live. October 18, 2021. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://www.hcplive.com/view/fda-approves-adalimumab-adbm-interchangeable-biosimilar.}
3. ^{Commissioner O of the. Biosimilars are as safe and effective as the original biologic. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. August 17, 2023. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/biosimilar-and-interchangeable-biologics-more-treatment-choices.}
4. ^{Pine L. FDA approves biosimilar adalimumab-adbm autoinjector pen. HCP Live. May 22, 2023. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://www.hcplive.com/view/fda-approves-biosimilar-adalimumab-adbm-autoinjector-pen.}
5. ^{Pine L. FDA approves high-concentrate, citrate-free formulation of biosimilar adalimumab-ADBM. HCP Live. May 1, 2024. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://www.hcplive.com/view/fda-approves-high-concentrate-citrate-free-formulation-of-biosimilar-adalimumab-adbm.}