Fifth FDA Approval From Amgen’s Biosimilars Portfolio
THOUSAND OAKS, CA, USA I December 17, 2020 I Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved RIABNI™ (rituximab-arrx), a biosimilar to Rituxan® (rituximab), for the treatment of adult patients with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener’s Granulomatosis), and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA). RIABNI will be made available in the U.S. in January 2021.
“The approval of RIABNI represents an important milestone across our biosimilar and oncology portfolios,” said Murdo Gordon, executive vice president of Global Commercial Operations at Amgen. “Following the proven success of KANJINTI® (trastuzumab-anns) and MVASI® (bevacizumab-awwb) in the U.S. marketplace, RIABNI reaffirms Amgen’s long-term commitment to providing high quality biosimilars that can potentially offer more affordable, effective treatment options for cancer and other serious diseases and that contribute to the sustainability of healthcare systems.”
RIABNI, a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody, was proven to be highly similar to Rituxan based on a totality of evidence, which included comparative analytical, nonclinical and clinical data, with no clinically meaningful differences in safety or effectiveness. The data package was composed of, in part, results from a pharmacokinetic (PK) similarity study and a comparative clinical study.
The randomized, double-blind, comparative clinical study evaluated the efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of RIABNI compared to Rituxan in subjects with grade 1, 2, or 3a follicular B-cell NHL and low tumor burden. There were 256 patients enrolled and randomized (1:1) to receive 375 mg/m2 intravenous infusion of either RIABNI or Rituxan, once weekly for 4 weeks followed by dosing at weeks 12 and 20. The primary endpoint, an assessment of overall response rate (ORR) by week 28, was within the prespecified margin for RIABNI compared to Rituxan, showing clinical equivalence. PK, PD, safety and immunogenicity of RIABNI were similar to Rituxan.
The Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC or “list price”) of RIABNI in the U.S. will be 23.7% lower than the reference product, Rituxan. RIABNI is being made available at a WAC of $716.80 per 100 mg and $3,584.00 per 500 mg single-dose vial, 23.7% less than the WAC for Rituxan, 15.2% less than the WAC for Truxima® (biosimilar to Rituxan) and matching the WAC for Ruxience® (biosimilar to Rituxan). At launch, RIABNI will be priced 16.7% below the current Rituxan Average Selling Price (ASP). RIABNI will be available from both wholesalers and specialty distributors.
Amgen has a total of 10 biosimilars in its portfolio, five of which have been approved in the U.S., and three that are approved in the European Union (EU).
About RIABNI™ (rituximab-arrx) in the U.S.
RIABNI is a biosimilar to Rituxan, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. The active ingredient of RIABNI is a monoclonal antibody that has the same amino acid sequence as Rituxan. RIABNI also has the same strength as Rituxan, and the dosage form and route of administration are identical to the IV formulation of Rituxan.
RIABNI is currently not yet available commercially. This is not an offer for sale. The following information is derived from the approved label in the U.S.
In the U.S., RIABNI is approved for:
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
RIABNI (rituximab-arrx) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:
- Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent.
- Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with first line chemotherapy and, in patients achieving a complete or partial response to a rituximab product in combination with chemotherapy, as single-agent maintenance therapy.
- Non-progressing (including stable disease), low-grade, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent after first line cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) chemotherapy.
- Previously untreated diffuse large B-cell, CD20-positive NHL in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone (CHOP) or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
RIABNI, in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated and previously treated CD20-positive CLL.
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener’s Granulomatosis) and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA)
RIABNI, in combination with glucocorticoids, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener’s Granulomatosis) and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA).
Please see the full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNINGS and Medication Guide, for additional Important Safety Information.
About Amgen Biosimilars
Amgen is committed to building upon Amgen’s experience in the development and manufacturing of innovative human therapeutics to expand Amgen’s reach to patients with serious illnesses. Biosimilars will help to maintain Amgen’s commitment to connect patients with vital medicines, and Amgen is well positioned to leverage its nearly four decades of experience in biotechnology to create high-quality biosimilars and reliably supply them to patients worldwide.
For more information, visit www.amgenbiosimilars.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgenbiosim.
About Amgen Oncology
Amgen is searching for and finding answers to incredibly complex questions that will advance care and improve lives for cancer patients and their families. Our research drives us to understand the disease in the context of the patient’s life – not just their cancer journey – so they can take control of their lives.
For the last four decades, we have been dedicated to discovering the firsts that matter in oncology and to finding ways to reduce the burden of cancer. Building on our heritage, Amgen continues to advance the largest pipeline in the Company’s history, moving with great speed to advance those innovations for the patients who need them.
At Amgen, we are driven by our commitment to transform the lives of cancer patients and keep them at the center of everything we do.
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About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people’s lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world’s leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.
SOURCE: Amgen