News Briefs: Amneal Launches Fylnetra, Sixth Neulasta Biosimilar in U.S.
Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. launched Fylnetra (pegfilgrastim-pbbk), the company said May 16. The granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is the sixth biosimilar of Amgen Inc.’s Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) to launch in the U.S. The FDA approved the drug on May 26, 2022, to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs associated with a clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia. Its J-code is Q5130. It is the third biosimilar that Amneal has launched in the U.S.
Amgen settled a patent infringement lawsuit (No. 22-cv-1549) with Janssen Biotech Inc., a division of Johnson & Johnson, over a proposed biosimilar of Stelara (ustekinumab), Amgen revealed May 23. Stelara, a human interleukin-12 and -23 antagonist, is indicated for adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease and moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, as well as people at least 6 years old with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy and people at least 6 with active psoriatic arthritis. The FDA first approved it on Sept. 25, 2009. Amgen said the settlement will allow its biosimilar to launch “no later than” Jan. 1, 2025.