Merck prices Remicade biosimilar

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) launched Renflexis infliximab-abda, its biosimilar of autoimmune drug Remicade infliximab from Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ). The biosimilar's wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) is $753.39 per package, a 35% discount to Remicade's $1,167.82.

In April, FDA approved Renflexis to treat Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis. Merck has U.S. rights to the biosimilar, while Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) markets it in the EU as Flixabi. The biosimilar is the first Merck has brought to market under a deal with Samsung Bioepis, a JV between Biogen and Samsung BioLogics Co. Ltd. (KOSDAQ:20740) (see BioCentury, May 1)...