Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ABRILADA™ (adalimumab-afzb), as a biosimilar to Humira® (adalimumab),(1) for the treatment of certain patients with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, adult Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and plaque psoriasis.(2) For full details of indications please see the approved label.
"Biosimilars like ABRILADA represent an opportunity to help improve access to important treatment options for patients living with chronic, and often debilitating, inflammatory conditions," said Richard Blackburn, Global President, Pfizer Inflammation and Immunology. "Our current portfolio of approved biosimilar products is one of the broadest in the industry and we are proud to offer additional treatment options for patients."
The FDA approval was based on the review of a comprehensive data package, which demonstrated biosimilarity of ABRILADA to the reference product. This includes results from the REFLECTIONS B538-02 clinical comparative study, which evaluated the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of ABRILADA and found no clinically meaningful differences in efficacy, safety or immunogenicity compared to the reference product, each taken in combination with methotrexate, in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.(3)
Biosimilars have been a significant catalyst for change for the healthcare industry over the last decade, with the potential to drive cost savings for healthcare systems. With more than 10 years of global in-market experience and eight approved biosimilar products in the U.S., Pfizer is proud to be a leader and at the forefront of this vital healthcare segment.
Pfizer is working to make ABRILADA available to U.S. patients as soon as feasible based on the terms of our agreement with AbbVie. Our current plans are to launch in 2023. We will provide further updates as the date approaches.
About ABRILADA (adalimumab-afzb)
ABRILADA is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker and biosimilar to Humira. Adalimumab targets and blocks TNF, which is believed to help reduce inflammation.(4)Please see full Prescribing Information for ABRILADA (adalimumab-afzb).
Pfizer Inc.: Breakthroughs that change patients' lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us.
1. Humira is a registered trademark of AbbVie.
2. ABRILADA™ (adalimumab-afzb) Prescribing Information. New York. NY: Pfizer Inc: 2019. Available at http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=12780. Accessed November 2019.
3. Fleischmann RM, Alten R, Pileckyte M, Lobello K, Hua SY, Cronenberger C, Alvarez D, Bock AE, Sewell KL. A comparative clinical study of PF-06410293, a candidate adalimumab biosimilar, and adalimumab reference product (Humira) in the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2018 Aug 15;20(1):178. doi: 10.1186/s13075-018-1676-y. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30111357?dopt=Abstract. Accessed November 2019.
4. Zhao S, Chadwick L, Mysler E, Moots RJ. Review of Biosimilar Trials and Data on Adalimumab in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2018;20(10):57. Published 2018 Aug 9. doi:10.1007/s11926-018-0769-6. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6097048/. Accessed November 2019.