Biosimilar Pricing Wars Have Begun

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Despite the approval of four anti-TNF biosimilars in 12 months, their introduction into the U.S. market has been slow and - until now - with paultry discounts compared to their introduction throughout Europe, where discounts averaged 50% and were as high as 70% (compared to the price of Remicade).

Baricitinib Derailed by FDA Review

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Eli Lilly and Co disclosed today that upon further discussions with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) there would be a delay in further regulatory decisions regarding baricitinib, a JAK inhibitor, that is being developed for use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  

Rheumatologists and Patients Concerns over Biosimilars - RheumNow “Live Vote” Results

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The RheumNow “Live Vote” on the use, uptake and safety of biosimilars contrasts rheumatologist and patient views. Despite FDA approval and looming introduction, there is considerable concern, knowledge gaps and hesitancy regarding their uptake in the US. The survey's primary question demonstrates that less than one-third of US rheumatologists are prepared to adopt biosimilars when they are available.

Obesity Impairs TNF Inhibitor Responses in Axial Spondyloarthritis

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Investigators with the Swiss Clinical Quality Management (SCQM) program have studied the effects of obesity on patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and, specifically, their response to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi).

Curbside Consults - July 2017

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Curbside Consults are cases submitted by our rheumatology colleagues as challenging therapeutic or safety issues. Answers are based on experience, with added evidence from the medical literature and published guidelines. Here are four new cases. 

The RheumNow Week in Review – 14 July 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com:

Withdrawal of TNF Inibitors Fails in Most RA Patients

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The 12 month POET study analyzed 817 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who achieved remission or low disease activity (LDAS) for ≥6 months and then randomized 2:1 to stopping or continuing their TNF inhibitor.

Orencia Approved for Use in Psoriatic Arthritis

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The FDA has approved both IV and SC ORENCIA (abatacept) for the treatment of adults with active Psoriatic Arthritis.

IV Golimumab in Psoriatic Arthritis

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Based on recent clinical trials, the makers of golimumab have petitioned the FDA for new indications in PsA and AS. Trials for PsA (GO-VIBRANT) and AS (GO-ALIVE) were presented at last weeks EULAR 2017 meeting in Madrid, Spain.

ACR/AAHKS Guidelines on Perioperative Management

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The American College of Rheumatology has partnered with the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons to develop consensus-based guidelines for perioperative management of antirheumatic therapies for patients with rheumatic diseases who plan to undergo total joint replacement.

EULAR 2017 – Day 4 Highlights

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Saturday was a day of big posters and special seminars at EULAR in Madrid.  In the morning, I passed on an interesting session on nailfold capillaroscopy led by Dr. M Cutolo and went to a JIA outcomes session.

EULAR 2017 – Day 3 Highlights

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Friday was a mega-day in Madrid as this day all the late-breaking abstracts were presented, in addition to the bulk of high-impact podium presentations in several areas.

Here are the major presentations from several clinical areas.

EULAR 2017 – Day 1 Highlights

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The Annual EULAR Congress kicked off this afternoon in Madrid with a number of new sessions devoted to important topics. 

Lancet Launches EULAR 2017 and "A Platinum Age of Rheumatology"

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The current Lancet edition for 10 June 2017 is a rheumatology rich collection.  

Supreme Court Decision Favors Earlier Biosimilar Adoption

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On Monday June 11th, the US Supreme Court unanimously ruled that biosimilar manufacturers can bring their drugs to market faster by eliminating the provision that the biosimar manufacturer had to give the innovator company 180 days notice before launching the new biosimilar.

Biosimilar Reports – May 2017

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Biosimilars continue to command a great deal of research, development and attention given the promise of significant cost savings and potentially wider use for those in need. Biosimilar Reports is an ongoing series dedicated to advances, discussions and developments in biosimilar agents intended for use by rheumatologists. 

Golimumab Fails in Polyarticular Juvenile Arthritis

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Treatment options for children with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (polyJIA) have lagged behind that seen with adult rheumatoid arthritis.

Biologics Before Triple DMARD is Not Cost Effective in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Stepping up to biologic therapy when methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy fails was not shown to be cost effective, compared to first trying triple therapy, in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) study published in Annals of Internal Medicine.