On March 18, 2026, Sandoz announced a new license, development, and commercialization partnership agreement with Samsung Bioepis Co., Ltd. Under this agreement, the companies will collaborate on the development and commercialization of up to five biosimilar assets, with the potential for further collaboration. Sandoz will have exclusive global commercialization rights,…
As we have previously reported, a group of health insurers and health insurance administrators (collectively, “CareFirst”) filed a class action complaint in 2023 against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Biotech, Inc. (collectively, J&J), alleging multiple violations of federal and state antitrust laws arising from J&J’s STELARA® (utsekinumab) product, as well…
On November 6, 2025, Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC, and its subsidiary Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., announced the launch of STARJEMZA (ustekinumab-hmny). STARJEMZA references Janssen’s STELARA, and is indicated for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Craig Boyd, commercial lead for the biosimilar, commented that “We…
In the last few weeks, Health Canada issued several decisions concerning biologics. On October 17, Health Canada approved, via a Notice of Compliance, Biocon Biologics Ltd.’s YESINTEK (ustekinumab injection) and YESINTEK I.V. (ustekinumab for injection, solution for intravenous infusion). YESINTEK and YESINTEK I.V. are biosimilars to Janssen Biotech, Inc.’s STELARA…
On June 26, 2025, Formycon AG (“Formycon”) announced a distribution agreement with Teva Group subsidiary Ratiopharm GmbH (“Ratiopharm”) for the semi-exclusive commercialization of its Stelara biosimilar FYB202/Fymskina (ustekinumab) in Germany. Under the terms of the distribution agreement, Formycon will be responsible for the manufacture and supply of FYB202/Fymskina and will…
In its June 2025 meeting, the European Medicines Agency’s (“EMA”) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (“CHMP”) adopted positive opinions for six biosimilar medicines. The medicines include four aflibercept products (Mynzepli, Afiveg, Vgenfli and Eiyzey), one ustekinumab product (Usymro), and one pegfilgrastim product (Vivlipeg). Additionally, on June 23, 2025, Alvotech announced that…
On June 15, 2025, Celltrion announced that the FDA has approved a new 45mg/0.5mL single-dose vial presentation of STEQEYMA (ustekinumab-stba) for subcutaneous injection. The formulation is intended for pediatric patients (ages 6–17) under 60kg with plaque psoriasis (PsO) or psoriatic arthritis (PsA). With this approval, STEQEYMA now matches all dosage…
On June 9, 2025, biosimilar manufacturers Samsung Bioepis and Alvotech announced separate deals to expand their respective offerings in Japan and Europe. Samsung Bioepis announced a licensing, development, and commercialization agreement with NIPRO Corporation for multiple biosimilar candidates in Japan. One of these candidates is SB17, a biosimilar of Janssen’s…
On May 21, 2025, Sandoz announced the commercial launch in Europe of its PYZCHIVA® (ustekinumab) autoinjector, “the first ustekinumab biosimilar in Europe commercially available in an autoinjector.” PYZCHIVA®—a biosimilar of Janssen’s STELARA®—is approved for the treatment of adults with plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease and pediatric plaque psoriasis for patients six…
On May 22, 2025, the FDA approved Bio-Thera Solutions and Hikma Pharmaceuticals’ ustekinumab biosimilar, STARJEMZA® (ustekinumab-hmny) injection, referencing Janssen’s STELARA® (ustekinumab) injection. This approval makes Bio-Thera the seventh company to receive FDA approval for an ustekinumab biosimilar, joining Amgen, Alvotech, Samsung, Fresenius, Accord, Biocon, and Celltrion. Ustekinumab is a human…