Clonmel Healthcare are delighted to announce the introduction of Uzpruvo®, the new Ustekinumab biosimilar. Uzpruvo® will be marketed from July 22nd 2024, upon expiry of patent protection of the active ingredient of the reference biological medicine.
Uzpruvo® 45mg and 90mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe are indicated for the treatment of Plaque Psoriasis, Paediatric Plaque Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Crohn’s Disease1. Uzpruvo® is currently not approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis indication (since the originator still has exclusivity for this indication).
Uzpruvo® offers patients a wide variety of benefits:
- European manufacturing1 and supply chain*
- Equivalent efficacy, safety and immunogenicity to the reference product**2
- Patient-friendly PFS: Easy handling, thinner needle+, latex-free++1,3
- Cost-effective option enabling improved access to ustekinumab treatment
Donagh O’Leary, General Manager said “Clonmel Healthcare continues to grow and strengthen its portfolio of biosimilar medicines, which now spans several therapeutic areas including rheumatology, gastroenterology dermatology and oncology. We remain steadfastly committed to bringing a comprehensive range of biosimilar medicines to the market, thereby increasing access for patients, physicians and pharmacists to affordable medicines and treatments. We are delighted to contribute to the ongoing savings to the Irish healthcare system and supporting patient needs”.
*Supply chain is constantly being optimised and manufacturing location is subject to change. **Stelara ®. + 29 v 27-guage needle of the reference product, Stelara ®. ++ Plunger stopper made of bromobutyl rubber.
1 Uzpruvo® SmPC (Feb. 2024). 2 Feldman SR et al. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2023;23(3);253-60. DOI: 10. 1080/14712598.2023.2235263; 3 Stelara® PI (Aug. 2022).
UZPRUVO 45 & 90 mg SOLUTION FOR INJECTION IN PRE-FILLED SYRINGEThis medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring.Uzpruvo 45 mg: Each pre-filled syringe contains 45 mg ustekinumab in 0.5 mL. Uzpruvo 90 mg: Each pre-filled syringe contains 90 mg ustekinumab in 1 mL. Ustekinumab is a fully human IgG1κ monoclonal antibody to interleukin (IL)-12/23 produced in a murine myeloma cell line using recombinant DNA technology. Presentation: Pre-filled glass syringe. Indications: Uzpruvo is indicated for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, paediatric plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and Crohn’s disease. Dosage: Uzpruvo is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of physicians experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions for which Uzpruvo is indicated. Refer to Summary of Product Characteristics. Method of administration: Subcutaneous injection. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1. Clinically important, active infection. Warnings and precautions: In order to improve the traceability of biological medicinal products, the name and batch number of the administered product should be clearly recorded. Ustekinumab may have the potential to increase the risk of infections and reactivate latent infections. Patients should be instructed to seek medical advice if signs or symptoms suggestive of an infection occur. If a patient develops a serious infection, the patient should be closely monitored and Uzpruvo should not be administered until the infection resolves. Immunosuppressants like ustekinumab have the potential to increase the risk of malignancy. Serious hypersensitivity reactions have been reported in the postmarketing setting, in some cases several days after treatment. Cases of allergic alveolitis, eosinophilic pneumonia, and non-infectious organising pneumonia have been reported during post-approval use of ustekinumab. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease should be regularly assessed during treatment with ustekinumab. It is recommended that live viral or live bacterial vaccines (such as Bacillus of Calmette and Guérin (BCG)) should not be given concurrently with Uzpruvo. Caution should be exercised when considering concomitant use of other immunosuppressants and Uzpruvo or when transitioning from other immunosuppressive biologics. It is not known whether ustekinumab may affect allergy immunotherapy. In patients with psoriasis, exfoliative dermatitis has been reported following ustekinumab treatment. Cases of lupus-related conditions have been reported in patients treated with Ustekinumab. Because there is a higher incidence of infections in the elderly population in general, caution should be used in treating the elderly. Interactions: Live vaccines should not be given concurrently with Uzpruvo. In psoriasis studies, the safety and efficacy of ustekinumab in combination with immunosuppressants, including biologics, or phototherapy have not been evaluated. In psoriatic arthritis studies, concomitant MTX use did not appear to influence the safety or efficacy of ustekinumab. In Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis studies, concomitant use of immunosuppressants or corticosteroids did not appear to influence the safety or efficacy of Ustekinumab. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation: Women of childbearing potential should use effective methods of contraception during treatment and for at least 15 weeks after treatment. There are no adequate data from the use of ustekinumab in pregnant women. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, embryonic/foetal development, parturition or postnatal development. As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of Uzpruvo in pregnancy. Limited data from published literature suggests that ustekinumab is excreted in human breast milk in very small amounts. Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants from ustekinumab, a decision on whether to discontinue breast-feeding during treatment and up to 15 weeks after treatment or to discontinue therapy with Uzpruvo must be made taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding to the child and the benefit of Uzpruvo therapy to the woman. The effect of ustekinumab on human fertility has not been evaluated. Driving and operation of machinery: Uzpruvo has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Undesirable effects: Upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, dizziness, headache, oropharyngeal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, back pain, myalgia, arthralgia, fatigue, injection site erythema, injection site pain. Refer to Summary of Product Characteristics for other adverse effects. Adverse reactions should be reported via HPRA Pharmacovigilance, website: www.hpra.ie. Pack size: 1 pre-filled syringe. A copy of the Summary of Product Characteristics is available upon request or go to www.clonmelhealthcare.ie. Marketing authorisation holder: STADA Arzneimittel AG, Stadastrasse 2-18, 61118 Bad Vilbel, Germany. Marketing authorisation number: EU/1/23/1784/001,004. Medicinal product subject to restricted medical prescription. Date last revised: February 2024. 2024/ADV/UZP/133H
