Carving out Space for Innovation Using Biosimilars
New data estimates that approximately 220,000 patients from more than 30 countries in Europe have been treated with Biogen’s anti-TNF biosimilars as of September 30, 2020, with associated cost savings for European healthcare systems of an estimated 1.8 billion euros11 in 2019.
For physicians, biosimilars provide more choices. And for Biogen, biosimilars create an entirely new value-chain and a competitive advantage – yet another example of the company’s pioneering spirit. Biogen is inspired by helping patients live fuller, healthier lives. The biosimilars unit keeps this central to their operations and has established an outstanding track record of supply, never missing a patient dose.
The next chapter
Unlocking the potential of biosimilars anti-TNF portfolio while complementing Biogen’s presence in ophthalmology is a key strategic priority for the company. In 2019 Biogen built on its commitment to providing biosimilars (referencing Lucentis® and Eylea®) by securing exclusive rights from Samsung Bioepis for new potential ophthalmology biosimilars in major markets world-wide including the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and Australia.12 These potential treatments may be used for such widespread ophthalmologic conditions as neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration, macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy, among others, and could be the foundation of Biogen’s presence in the ophthalmology space.
The further expansion of our biosimilars portfolio provides payers and health systems globally the budgetary headroom to fund innovation. Biogen’s biosimilars make it viable to provide more patients with earlier and longer access to treatment, changing their lives for the better.
“At Biogen, our focus goes well beyond one specific disease or treatment. We want our science to help solve broader issues affecting society while creating access to further innovation,” says Henshaw. “Our work in biosimilars bridges these goals and has made a real difference for patients, helping transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients to date and potentially millions more in the future.”