Rituximab Biosimilar Now Available in United States for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rituximab-abbs (Truxima) injection, the only biosimilar to rituximab (Rituxan), is now available in the United States for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Teva and Celltrion Healthcare announced.

Rituximab-abbs is indicated for use, in combination with methotrexate, in adult patients with moderately to severely active RA who have inadequate response to 1 or more tumor necrosis factor antagonist therapies. It Is also available for the treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis in adult patients in combination with glucocorticoids.

“We are proud to make Truxima available to patients and providers as a treatment option for these indications, especially as this is the only rituximab biosimilar indicated for rheumatoid arthritis,” Brendan O’Grady, executive vice president, North America Commercial, Teva, said in a statement. “Following the launch of our other biosimilar earlier this year, we remain focused on our commitment to lower health care costs and increase price competition through the availability of biosimilars.”

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) previously granted pass-through status for rituximab-abbs in the hospital outpatient setting, according to Teva. The Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) for rituximab will be 10% lower than the reference product. Rituximab-abbs is expected to be available through primary wholesalers at a WAC of $845.55 per 100 mg vial and $4,227.75 per 500 mg vial, Teva said.