Boehringer partners with Cigna's Quallent to boost Humira biosimilar reach

Boehringer Ingelheim has entered into a partnership with Quallent Pharmaceuticals, a private-label pharmaceutical distributor owned by Cigna, to enhance patient access to its citrate-free adalimumab-adbm biosimilar. This biosimilar is an interchangeable version of AbbVie's Humira (adalimumab), a blockbuster drug that lost its patent protection last year. According to Chris Marsh, Boehringer's senior vice president of value and access, the collaboration aims to increase the availability of this biosimilar for patients with specific chronic inflammatory diseases.

Last July, Boehringer introduced a low-concentration biosimilar under the brand name Cyltezo (adalimumab-adbm), and earlier this month, it received FDA approval for a high-concentration formulation. Cyltezo is priced at a 5% discount compared to Humira’s list price of $6922 per month, while the high-concentration version is available at an 81% discount. In this new agreement, Boehringer will produce adalimumab-adbm for Quallent, while continuing to market its branded Cyltezo and the unbranded versions. Quallent will distribute both high- and low-concentration citrate-free formulations in pre-filled syringes or pens, supported by a copay assistance program.

The partnership coincides with Boehringer’s plan to revamp its sales team for Cyltezo, due to lower-than-expected market penetration of Humira biosimilars in the U.S. Despite being the first interchangeable biosimilar approved for Humira and securing placements with major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), Boehringer recently noted that the widespread adoption of Humira biosimilars has not met expectations. AbbVie's drug has maintained a strong market presence until recently.

However, this scenario is likely to shift as CVS Caremark has replaced Humira with biosimilar versions of the anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody in most of its commercial plans. This change has led to a surge in new prescriptions for Sandoz's competing biosimilar, Hyrimoz (adalimumab-adaz).

Adding to the competitive biosimilar landscape, Teva is preparing to launch its high-concentration, citrate-free Humira biosimilar, Simlandi (adalimumab-ryvk) this quarter. Developed in collaboration with Alvotech, Simlandi was approved by the FDA in February as the first high-concentration, citrate-free biosimilar interchangeable with Humira. Teva has also secured an agreement to manufacture Simlandi for distribution under a private label by Quallent.

This wave of activities reflects a dynamic shift in the biosimilar market, driven by strategic partnerships and the expanding availability of cost-effective alternatives to Humira. Boehringer Ingelheim and its partners are poised to play a significant role in this evolving landscape, potentially transforming treatment access for patients with chronic inflammatory diseases.