The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Erelzi (etanercept-szzs), developed by Sandoz, as the first biosimilar version of Amgen's blockbuster drug Enbrel. This landmark approval represents a significant advancement in the US biosimilars market, where only three such products have received regulatory clearance to date.
Comprehensive Therapeutic Coverage
The approval encompasses all indications listed in the reference product's label, including rheumatoid arthritis, plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and polyarticular juvenile arthritis. This broad approval scope positions Erelzi to compete directly with Enbrel, which generates over $5 billion in annual US sales.
Market Impact and Access
While Sandoz has not yet disclosed pricing details, the company's approach with its previous biosimilar launch, Zarxio, featured a 15% discount compared to the reference product. The actual launch timeline remains uncertain, as regulatory requirements mandate a 180-day waiting period before the first biosimilar can enter the market, and potential legal challenges from Amgen may affect the timeline.
Global Development and Future Outlook
Sandoz continues to expand its biosimilar portfolio globally, with Erelzi currently under review by the European Medicines Agency. The company has outlined an ambitious development program, planning 11 biosimilar filings during 2015-2017, with six already completed.
Carol Lynch, global head of biopharmaceuticals at Sandoz, emphasized the company's commitment to improving healthcare accessibility: "We continue to increase patient access to key treatment options by expanding our offering of biosimilars which helps to reduce costs within the healthcare system."
Broader Biosimilar Landscape
The approval of Erelzi reflects the growing momentum in the US biosimilars market, following previous approvals of Pfizer's Inflectra and Sandoz's Zarxio. The biosimilars market holds significant potential for healthcare cost reduction, with IMS Health projecting possible savings of up to $110 billion by 2020 across major markets.
