Celltrion launches Stelara biosimilar
Celltrion is introducing Steqeymaq (ustekinumab-stba), which is a biosimilar to Johnson & Johnson's Stelara (ustekinumab).
Steqeyma is indicated for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in adult and pediatric patients, as well as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in adult patients. It is available in both subcutaneous injection and intravenous infusion.
"Chronic inflammatory diseases such as plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis place significant burden on patients," said Mark Lebwohl of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, N.Y. "Biosimilars increase access to essential therapies, while maintaining the same high standards as the reference product. The availability of Steqeyma provides patients and healthcare providers a cost-effective alternative to manage chronic inflammatory diseases."
[Read more: FDA accepts Alvotech, Teva's BLAs for Simponi biosimilars]
Steqeyma will be priced with a WAC list price at an 85% discount to the current WAC list price of Stelara to help improve patient access to high-quality biologic treatments, Celltrion said.
"The introduction of Steqeyma in the U.S., as one of the first-wave biosimilars to Stelara, marks an important step in our ongoing efforts to expand patient access to high-quality biologic treatments," said Thomas Nusbickel, chief commercial officer at Celltrion USA. "With this launch, we are expanding our immunology portfolio beyond TNF-alpha to include IL-12/23 inhibitors, offering more options for multiple immune-mediated diseases. To further enhance accessibility, Celltrion is actively collaborating with key pharmacy benefit managers to secure broader formulary coverage for Steqeyma."
[Read more: Pharmaceutical firms launch Stelara biosimilars]
