Hospira announces European launch of biosimilar monoclonal antibody Inflectra

Hospira has announced the introduction of its first biosimilar monoclonal antibody, Inflectra, in major European markets.

The drug is licensed for the treatment of inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and plaque psoriasis.

Based on the established reference product Remicade, this is the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody to be approved by the European Commission. It has already been launched in central and eastern Europe, as well as some smaller western European territories.

The groundbreaking therapy has proven its safety and efficacy in clinical trials and can now be sold in 24 EU nations. Due to its low cost, it is expected to generate significant savings for healthcare systems.

Paul Greenland, vice-president for biologics at Hospira, said: "We are delighted that the remaining European countries, including many of the major EU countries, will now benefit from the availability of Inflectra. This supports Hospira's commitment to provide patients with better access to high-quality, more affordable care."

This launch comes shortly after Hospira announced earlier this month that it will soon be acquired by the global pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer.