AbbVie digs in for a long war as Amgen bags first OK for a Humira biosimilar
The FDA provided its stamp of approval on Amgen’s biosimilar of AbbVie’s anti-inflammatory megablockbuster Humira. But don’t look for any cheaper copies of the drug anytime soon. AbbVie plans to fight to the last lawyer keeping the competitor off the market, claiming it has patents in place to bar this and other rivals in the works for another six years.
AbbVie has plenty to gain and much to lose when it comes to Humira and the biosimilar market. The company earned about $14 billion off the one franchise last year, and the numbers keep headed north. In the second quarter, its flagship drug brought in $4.15 billion. Humira provides roughly two thirds of its revenue and AbbVie has been fighting for more time — lots more time — to develop new drugs to take its place.
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