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AbbVie Focuses On Humira’s Formulary Positioning Ahead Of Biosimilars

 
• By Joseph Haas

A year out from the US patent expiration for top-seller Humira, AbbVie is negotiating for formulary position alongside biosimilars. Analysts said success there could delay some patent cliff pain until 2024.

AbbVie exterior
AbbVie talked about US formulary positioning for Humira post-patent expiry • Source: Alamy

AbbVie Inc. has been preparing for the patent expiration of its top-seller Humira since it separated from Abbott Laboratories Limited in 2013. With the entry of biosimilars in the US now approximately a year away, CEO Rick Gonzalez told the pharma’s first quarter sales and earnings call on 29 April that AbbVie has begun discussions with US payers about keeping the biologic on formulary in 2023, which could push back some of the expiry’s revenue impact into 2024.

AbbVie reported a 22.6% year-over-year ex-US decline in Humira (adalimumab) sales to $743m during Q1, highlighting the substantial impact of...

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