FDA Approves Imuldosa, a Fifth Biosimilar to Stelara

This article was originally published by The Center for Biosimilars®.

The FDA has approved Imuldosa (ustekinumab-srlf), a biosimilar referencing Stelara (ustekinumab), for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn disease, and ulcerative colitis.1

Stelara is one of the highest-grossing biologics in the US, generating $10.86 billion globally in 2023. Additionally, US sales for Stelara reached $6.4 billion in 2022, according to Johnson & Johnson's annual financial report.² It’s also 1 of the first 10 medications selected by CMS for drug price negotiation, which will go into effect at the start of 2026.³ Due to patent litigation settlements, companies are not allowed to launch their ustekinumab biosimilars until early 2025.

Ustekinumab products are used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn disease, and ulcerative colitis.⁴ Ustekinumab is a humanized immunoglobulin G1k (IgG1k) monoclonal antibody used to treat psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease, which is an umbrella term for Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. IgG1k antibodies bind to the p40 protein subunit utilized by interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 cytokines.

The approval of Imuldosa comes shortly after the FDA approved Otulfi (ustekinumab-aauz) in September 2024.⁵ It is the fifth ustekinumab biosimilar to be approved for the US market, following those for Pyzchiva (ustekinumab-ttwe) in July 2024,⁶ Wezlana (ustekinumab-auub) in November 2023,⁷ and Selarsdi (ustekinumab-aekn) in April 2024.⁸ Psychiva was created by Samsung Bioepis, Wezlana was developed by Amgen, and Selarsdi was developed by Alvotech and will be marketed in the US by Teva Pharmaceuticals as part of a commercialization partnership.

Imuldosa was developed jointly by Dong-A ST, a Seoul, Republic of Korea-based company, and Meiji Seika Pharma.1 It is 1 of 3 biosimilars being developed by Dong-A ST, the other 2 of which are in preclinical phases and have not been disclosed. It is also the second overall approval for a product developed by company, following the 2014 approval for Sivextro (tedizolid phosphate).

In July 2020, the rights for research and development and commercialization were transferred from Dong-A Socio Holdings to Dong-A ST to enhance project management. The following year, in July 2021, Dong-A ST and Meiji Seika Pharma entered into a global license agreement with Intas Pharmaceuticals, which will commercialize the biosimilar through its global subsidiaries, including Accord BioPharma in the US and Accord Healthcare in the European Union, UK, and Canada.

References

1. US FDA approves Dong-A ST’s Imuldosa (ustekinumab-srlf), a biosimilar to Stelara. Dong-A ST. Press release; October 11, 2024. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241011360476/en/US-FDA-Approves-Dong-A-ST%E2%80%99s-IMULDOSA%E2%84%A2-ustekinumab-srlf-a-Biosimilar-to-STELARA%C2%AE

2. 2022 annual report. Johnson & Johnson. March 2023. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://s203.q4cdn.com/636242992/files/doc_financials/2022/ar/2022-annual-report.pdf

3. Santoro C. Lower drug prices announced under Medicare Negotiation Program. AJMC^®. August 15, 2024. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://www.ajmc.com/view/lower-drug-prices-announced-under-medicare-negotiation-program

4. Unique mechanism of action. Stelara website. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://www.stelarahcp.com/plaque-psoriasis/mechanism-of-action/

5. Joszt L. Fourth ustekinumab biosimilar, Otulfi, approved in US. The Center for Biosimilars. September 30, 2024. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://www.centerforbiosimilars.com/view/fourth-ustekinumab-biosimilar-approved-in-us
6. Jeremias S. FDA approves Samsung Bioepis’ Pyzchiva, a biosimilar to Stelara. The Center for Biosimilars. July 1, 2024. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://www.centerforbiosimilars.com/view/fda-approves-samsung-bioepis-pyzchiva-a-biosimilar-to-stelara

7. Jeremias S. FDA approves first Stelara biosimilar, Wezlana. The Center for Biosimilars®. November 1, 2023. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://www.centerforbiosimilars.com/view/fda-approves-first-stelara-biosimilar-wezlana

8. Jeremias S. Alvotech’s Stelara biosimilar, Selarsdi, receives FDA approval. The Center for Biosimilars. April 16, 2024. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://www.centerforbiosimilars.com/view/alvotech-s-stelara-biosimilar-selarsdi-receives-fda-approval