Targeting a $5B brand, Samsung and Merck launch Remicade biosim at 35% discount

Fierce Pharma ------- After the first biosimilar of Johnson & Johnson’s big-selling immunology drug Remicade hit the market last year at a modest discount, another has come along with a much deeper pricing slash.Samsung and marketing partner Merck & Co. Monday launched their Renflexis in the U.S. at a 35% markdown to the blockbuster J&J anti-inflammatory med. Their move follows last year’s launch by Pfizer for its version, Inflectra, at a 15% discount. The prices are before negotiated rebates. As J&J’s top-selling med, Remicade brought in nearly $5 billion in the U.S. last year. With those critical sales under threat, the company has moved to defend its superstar in court and elsewhere. Ahead of the Samsung launch, J&J sued for patent infringement and for refusing to participate in a dispute resolution process. A representative for the biosim developer responded that the company is “confident” it’s not infringing J&J’s patents. To learn more click on the picture below to read the article.