LAS VEGAS – There is reason to be optimistic about biosimilars for treating psoriasis, Bruce E. Strober, MD, PhD, said at the Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar.
To date, the Food and Drug Administration has approved three biosimilar versions of agents used to treat psoriasis: adalimumab, infliximab, and etanercept.
“The biosimilar development and approval pathway is quite rigorous,” said Dr. Strober, professor and chair of the department of dermatology at the University of Connecticut, Farmington, in a video interview. Although none are yet available, “I can say with high confidence that biosimilar molecules are very comparable,” to the reference molecules, he said.
The impact of biosimilars on the market in the United States in terms of cost and access remains to be seen, Dr, Strober added.
However, “I do believe the science and the clinical trials process and the regulatory process are good,” and that, if clinicians had to use biosimilars for their patients, the patient experience would be safe and effective, he noted.
Dr. Strober disclosed relationships with multiple companies including AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Dermira, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Novartis, and Pfizer.
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