Hospira Launches Biosimilar Inflectra In Major European Markets

(RTTNews) - Hospira, Inc. (HSP), Monday announced the launch of the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody Inflectra in major European markets. Inflectra is a chimeric human-murine monoclonal antibody intended for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, adult and paediatric Crohn's disease, adult and paediatric ulcerative colitis and plaque psoriasis. The company said, following the patent expiry of reference product Remicade, Inflectra would provide an alternative, potentially more affordable treatment option.

Infliximab is having 15 years' worth of clinical data and experience and is the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody to be approved by the European Commission. Inflectra was already been launched in Central and Eastern Europe, and some smaller Western European markets. It will be now availabile in 24 European countries.

Further, Hospira said its partner, Celltrion, has also submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for biosimilar infliximab.