Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) announced that the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved IXIFI™ (PF-06438179, infliximab-qbtx), a chimeric human-murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) against tumor necrosis factor, as a biosimilar to Remicade® (infliximab) for all eligible indications of the reference product. (1)
The FDA has approved IXIFI as a treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, pediatric Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis.(1)
FDA approval follows the acceptance of the IXIFI Biologics License Application in April 2017 and is based on the totality of evidence demonstrating a high degree of similarity to the reference product, including the REFLECTIONS B537-02 study in patients with moderate to severe active RA(2). The Phase 3, multi-national, randomized, double blind, two-arm, parallel group study evaluated the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of IXIFI versus Remicade administered intravenously in combination with methotrexate to treat patients with moderate to severely active RA who have had an inadequate response to methotrexate therapy.(2) The study met its primary endpoint of ACR20 response (≥20% improvement by American College of Rheumatology criteria) at Week 14, and was supported by data at week 30.(3)
Pfizer has a portfolio of three marketed biosimilar medicines outside the U.S. including INFLECTRA® (infliximab), Retacrit (epoetin zeta), and Nivestim (filgrastim); and a biosimilars pipeline consisting of 13 distinct biosimilar molecules in various stages of development. As part of its global biosimilars strategy, Pfizer supplies Celltrion's INFLECTRA® (infliximab-dyyb) in the U.S. and certain other markets across the globe.
About IXIFI™
IXIFI™ (infliximab-qbtx) is a chimeric human-murine mAb against tumor necrosis factor, approved as a biosimilar for all eligible indications of the reference product.(1) IXIFI has been approved in the U.S. for rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, pediatric Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis.(1)In February 2016, Sandoz acquired the rights from Pfizer for the development, commercialization and manufacture of PF-06438179 in the 28 EU member states, as well as three of the four member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) that form the European Economic Area (EEA). Under the terms of the divestment, Pfizer retains commercialization and manufacturing rights to PF-06438179 in countries outside the EEA.(4)
About Pfizer: Working together for a healthier world®
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1. IXIFI (infliximab-qbtx) Prescribing Information. New York. NY: Pfizer Inc: 2017. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/761072s000lbl.pdf. Accessed December 2017.
2. Pfizer. Pfizer Announces Positive Top-Line Results From Reflections B537-02 Study For PF-06438179 (Infliximab-Pfizer) A Potential Biosimilar To REMICADE® (Infliximab). September 2016. Available at: http://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer_announces_positive_top_line_results_from_reflections_b537_02_study_for_pf_06438179_infliximab_pfizer_a_potential_biosimilar_to_REMICADE_infliximab. Accessed December 2017.
3. Cohen SB, Alten R, Kameda H, Rehman MI, Schumacher K, Schmitt S, Hua SY, Sewell KL. A Randomized, Double-Blind Study Comparing PF-06438179/GP1111, a Potential Infliximab Biosimilar, and Infliximab, Both in Combination with MTX, As Treatment for Patients with Moderate to Severe Active RA Who Have Had an Inadequate Response to MTX Therapy [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2017; 69 (suppl 10). Available at: http://acrabstracts.org/abstract/a-randomized-double-blind-study-comparing-pf-06438179gp1111-a-potential-infliximab-biosimilar-and-infliximab-both-in-combination-with-mtx-as-treatment-for-patients-with-moderate-to-severe-active/. Accessed December 2017.
4. Novartis. Sandoz strengthens its biosimilars portfolio with acquisition of Pfizer's biosimilar infliximab in EEA. Available at:
https://www.novartis.com/news/media-releases/sandoz-strengthens-its-biosimilars-portfolio-acquisition-pfizers-biosimilar. Accessed December 2017.