Biosimilars – Current Treatment – Endocrinology
Eli Lilly / Boehringer Ingelheim’s Abasaglar / Basaglar was the first biosimilar / follow-on insulin glargine to launch in Europe and the United States, followed by Sanofi’s Admelog / Insulin lispro Sanofi. Subsequently, the EC approved Biocon / Viatris’s insulin glargine biosimilar Semglee, and the FDA approved this agent as an interchangeable biosimilar in July 2021. Insulin aspart Sanofi also launched in Europe in 2021. In April 2023, Eli Lilly launched Rezvoglar (insulin glargine-aglr), its second insulin glargine biosimilar alongside Basaglar in the United States. Rezvoglar is also the second interchangeable insulin to come to market, after Semglee. In June 2022 and January 2024, Sanofi, through its subsidiary company Winthrop, introduced unbranded version of Lantus and Toujeo, respectively, under the names Insulin glargine injection 100 units/mL and Insulin glargine injection 300 units/mL. Endocrinologists’ prescribing behavior will directly impact the uptake of these products, including insulin brands such as Sanofi’s Lantus and Eli Lilly’s Humalog. Understanding physicians’ attitudes and prescribing behavior regarding biosimilars / follow-on insulins is critical for the development and marketing strategies aimed at persuading endocrinologists to prescribe and drive biosimilar / follow-on insulin uptake. Clarivate’s primary research with endocrinologists in the United States, France, and Germany allows clients to assess the dynamics determining current and future biosimilar / follow-on insulin uptake within the diabetes space.
Questions answered
- What is the current patient share of insulin biosimilars, and what expectations do endocrinologists have about future patient shares, assuming additional biosimilars launch?
- How similar do endocrinologists believe biosimilars are to their reference brands?
- What factors do endocrinologists identify as being the key drivers and barriers to biosimilar uptake?
- What percentage of biosimilar-treated patients were initiated on a biosimilar, and what percentage were switched from a reference brand?
- What cost reduction is required for a biosimilar to achieve more than a 50% patient share?
Content highlights
Markets covered: United States, France, and Germany
Key companies mentioned: Boehringer Ingelheim, Biocon / Viatris, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi
Key drugs mentioned: Admelog / Insulin lispro Sanofi, Apidra, authorized generic of insulin lispro, authorized generic of insulin aspart, Basaglar / Abasaglar, Insulin glargine injection 100 units/mL, Insulin glargine injection 300 units/mL, Fiasp, Humalog, Insulin aspart Sanofi, Lantus, Levemir, NovoLog, NovoRapid, NovoMix, Rezvoglar, Semglee, Tresiba, Toujeo
Primary research: Online quantitative survey of 90 endocrinologists
Product description
Biosimilars | Current Treatment offerings provide physician insights on treatment dynamics, prescribing behavior, and drivers of biosimilar use so that marketers can create specific messaging around these treatment dynamics to more effectively increase or defend their market position.
