Merck launches Remicade biosimilar Renflexis

KENILWORTH, N.J. — Merck on Monday announced the introduction of its Renflexis (infliximab-abda), a biosimilar of Remicade. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug in April for all eligible indications, and it reflects the first launch under Merck’s global biosimilar partnership with Samsung Bioepis.

“Merck looks forward to launching Renflexis in the United States to help meet the needs of patients, physicians and payers,” Merck GM biosimilars Dora Bibila said. “As a global health care leader, Merck believes that biosimilars have the potential to help increase access to these important medicines while also providing savings for the health care system.”

The company said that Renflexis would be launched with a wholesaler acquisition cost of $753.39, which it said is a 35% discount to Remicade’s current list price. Remicade was the fifth bestselling drug in the United States in 2016, bringing in $5.3 billion on an invoice price basis in 2016, according to QuintilesIMS data. Since 2012, the drug has brought in more than $20 billion on an invoice price basis.