Norway to fund biosimilar trials starting with Inflectra-Hospira
Norway is to fund clinical studies in which patients will be switched from originator biological drugs to biosimilars in order to reassure physicians that the biosimilar versions are as good as the originator product and to try and increase the uptake of biosimilars which are less expensive than the originator product. The Norwegian studies are planned to take place in 2014 and will compare Remicade (infliximab) from Johnson & Johnson/Merck Inc for Rheumatoid conditions to Hospira and Celltrion�s new biosimilar Inflectra (infliximab). Remicade had sales of more than US$2 billion in Europe during 2012, giving scope for significant savings.
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