Alvotech’s Japanese Ustekinumab Nod Is ‘First For Global Markets’

Coherus has officially marked its exit from biosimilars by completing the divestment of its Udenyca pegfilgrastim franchise. Meanwhile, buyer Accord BioPharma has set out how it expects to benefit not only from a growing asset but also from the Coherus personnel that have moved over.

After Amgen’s surprise launch of the first US biosimilar to Eylea last year, expectations around competition are being further upended with the news that Biocon Biologics has struck a settlement deal with Regeneron allowing it to launch its own aflibercept rival in the second half of 2026. Will other challengers follow suit?

News of a fresh US investigation into the pharma sector has sparked renewed concerns over the impact that US trade tariffs would have on the generics and biosimilars industry. The AAM has responded with a warning over the potential effects on shortages and access, while Medicines for Europe has proposed five key action areas to bolster the sector in Europe.

Having failed in US patent litigation over Amgen’s Enbrel, Sandoz is taking an alternative approach in trying to get its Erelzi biosimilar to market in the US ahead of patent expiry in 2029: launching an antitrust attack against the originator for “unlawfully extending and entrenching its monopoly."