Orphan Biosimilars: Developers See Big Prospects In Small Markets; Soliris Is One Target

14 Jun 2017

• By Kate Rawson

Using lessons learned from the first wave of biosimilar approvals – and citing high prices in the US – some developers are starting to 'think small' with biosimilars for rare disease markets. Alexion’s Soliris is a case in point.

The initial market for biosimilars has centered on large-market opportunities like Genentech’s Rituxan and AbbVie’s Humira. But behind that first wave are unique opportunities in much smaller markets – with some companies already eyeing pure-play orphan biosimilars to treat rare diseases.

Given the biosimilars market is still in a prolonged early phase (especially in the US), it may seem premature to...