Boehringer and Cigna unit team up on Humira biosimilar after slow start

Boehringer Ingelheim has taken a significant step in its ongoing effort to challenge AbbVie's dominance over the lucrative Humira market. The German pharmaceutical company has signed an agreement to supply biosimilar versions of Humira to Cigna’s private label distributor, Quallent Pharmaceuticals. This move aims to provide more affordable treatment options for patients suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases.

Boehringer's ambition to compete with AbbVie received a boost when it became the first company to obtain FDA approval for an interchangeable Humira biosimilar. Following this, the company launched its branded biosimilar, Cyltezo, at a modest 5% discount and an unbranded version at a substantial 81% markdown. However, the initial market response was underwhelming, leading Boehringer to adopt a hybrid marketing strategy last month.

The recent agreement with Quallent Pharmaceuticals is a key part of this revised strategy. Boehringer will supply citrate-free adalimumab-adbm to Quallent while continuing to market both Cyltezo and its unbranded Humira biosimilar. Chris Marsh, Boehringer’s senior vice president of value and access, stated that this deal would “increase availability of our adalimumab biosimilar for patients living with certain chronic inflammatory diseases.” Quallent will also introduce a copay assistance program to further alleviate the financial burden on patients.

David Cordani, CEO of Cigna, elaborated on the company's biosimilar strategy during an earnings call in early May. He informed investors that Cigna has agreements with multiple manufacturers to produce biosimilars, which will be priced approximately 85% lower than Humira. He emphasized that all of Cigna’s pharmacy benefit service clients and their patients would have access to these more affordable biosimilar options.

Interestingly, this partnership with Boehringer comes just two weeks after Quallent secured a similar arrangement with Alvotech. Under that agreement, Alvotech will manufacture its high-concentration interchangeable Humira biosimilar for Quallent. Alvotech, which received delayed approval in February, is also in a partnership with Teva. These consecutive deals enable Quallent to offer both high- and low-concentration versions of Humira, positioning the company as a competitive player in the biosimilar market.

The strategic alliances with Boehringer and Alvotech underscore Quallent’s commitment to expanding its portfolio of biosimilar products. This approach not only aims to reduce the cost of medication for patients but also seeks to challenge AbbVie's stronghold on the Humira market. By collaborating with multiple biosimilar manufacturers, Cigna and its subsidiary Quallent hope to provide a broader range of treatment options, thereby enhancing patient access and affordability.

In summary, Boehringer Ingelheim's collaboration with Quallent Pharmaceuticals marks a critical development in the biosimilar landscape. With the backing of Cigna, the initiative promises to offer more affordable alternatives to Humira, benefiting patients with chronic inflammatory conditions. This strategic move, in conjunction with Quallent’s earlier agreement with Alvotech, signifies a concerted effort to disrupt AbbVie's market dominance and provide cost-effective treatment options for a broader patient population.