BAD VILBEL, Germany and REYKJAVIK, Iceland, July 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STADA and Alvotech have launched Uzpruvo^®, the first approved biosimilar to Stelara^® in Europe, across a majority of European countries. This includes the largest markets in the region, where pricing and reimbursement approvals have been secured for market entry. The pioneering launch comes immediately upon expiry of exclusivity rights linked to the European reference molecule patent, offering patients, physicians and payers expanded access at the earliest possible opportunity to a life-altering medicine used in certain indications within gastroenterology¹, dermatology and rheumatology. Launches in further European countries are scheduled over the coming months, following national price approvals, via a fully European supply chain.

“Launching Uzpruvo at the earliest opportunity in Europe’s largest pharmaceutical markets, promotes access by creating competition,” stated STADA CEO Peter Goldschmidt. “This opportunity to improve patient access through wider usage of a life-changing biological treatment emphasizes STADA’s purpose of Caring for People’s Health as a Trusted Partner.”

“We are delighted at the launch of Uzpruvo in Europe and to be first-to-market,” commented Robert Wessman, Chief Executive Officer of Alvotech. “This launch symbolizes the robustness of our platform, the value of our partnership with STADA, and our collective focus on the importance of biosimilars.”

In January 2024, Uzpruvo became the first ustekinumab biosimilar to be approved by the European Commission as having equivalent efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity to the Stelara^® reference product.² Uzpruvo is indicated for Crohn’s disease and psoriatic arthritis in adults, as well as plaque psoriasis in adults and children aged from 6 years. Uzpruvo^® is currently not approved for the ulcerative colitis indication, since the originator still has exclusivity for this indication.

Uzpruvo is offered in a pre-filled syringe format featuring a thinner needle than the reference product and is latex-free to minimize the risk of allergic reactions. Uzpruvo was developed, and is manufactured and packaged, entirely within Europe, and has a 36-month shelf life.

“With comparable safety, efficacy and immunogenicity, Uzpruvo gives clinicians an opportunity for a seamless and simple switch for their patients, who can benefit from a thinner needle and latex-free syringe,” commented STADA’s Global Specialty Head, Bryan Kim. “Physicians and patients can have full confidence that STADA has more than 15 years of experience in enhancing patient access through high-quality biosimilars in Europe, having launched our first biosimilar in 2008.”

Ustekinumab is the second immunology biosimilar brought to market through the strategic partnership between STADA and Alvotech, following the 2022 launch of the Hukyndra high-concentration, citrate-free adalimumab therapy. The partners also recently announced a development, manufacturing and marketing alliance for a proposed biosimilar to Prolia^®/Xgeva^® (denosumab) candidate, AVT03. Alvotech is responsible for development and manufacturing of biosimilars within the partnership at its facility in Reykjavik, Iceland, that benefits from nearly 100% domestically produced renewable energy, including geothermal and hydroelectric power which is aligned with both companies’ core commitments to sustainability.

Overall, Uzpruvo is STADA’s seventh biosimilar supplied in Europe, with the German group also offering biosimilars in the bone health, nephrology, oncology and ophthalmology therapeutic sectors, alongside differentiated specialty therapies in nephrology and neurology.

Alvotech is a global leader in the biosimilar space and boasts a portfolio and pipeline of 11 biosimilars and biosimilar candidates covering a wide variety of indications. Alvotech, through its partnership network has now launched biosimilar to Stelara in Canada, Japan, and now in Europe.

About STADA Arzneimittel AG
STADA Arzneimittel AG is headquartered in Bad Vilbel, Germany. The company focuses on a three-pillar strategy consisting of consumer healthcare products, generics and specialty pharma. Worldwide, STADA Arzneimittel AG sells its products in approximately 115 countries. In financial year 2023, STADA achieved group sales of EUR 3,735 million and reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of EUR 802 million. As of 31 December 2023, STADA employed 11,667 people worldwide.

About Alvotech
Alvotech is a biotech company, founded by Robert Wessman, focused solely on the development and manufacture of biosimilar medicines for patients worldwide. Alvotech seeks to be a global leader in the biosimilar space by delivering high quality, cost-effective products, and services, enabled by a fully integrated approach and broad in-house capabilities. Alvotech has launched two biosimilars. The current development pipeline includes nine disclosed biosimilar candidates aimed at treating autoimmune disorders, eye disorders, osteoporosis, respiratory disease, and cancer. Alvotech has formed a network of strategic commercial partnerships to provide global reach and leverage local expertise in markets that include the United States, Europe, Japan, China, and other Asian countries and large parts of South America, Africa and the Middle East. Alvotech’s commercial partners include Teva Pharmaceuticals, a US affiliate of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (US), STADA Arzneimittel AG (EU), Fuji Pharma Co., Ltd (Japan), Advanz Pharma (EEA, UK, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand), Dr. Reddy’s (US, EU), Cipla/Cipla Gulf/Cipla Med Pro (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa/Africa), JAMP Pharma Corporation (Canada), Yangtze River Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. (China), DKSH (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan), YAS Holding LLC (Middle East and North Africa), Abdi Ibrahim (Turkey), Kamada Ltd. (Israel), Mega Labs, Stein, Libbs, Tuteur and Saval (Latin America) and Lotus Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and South Korea). Each commercial partnership covers a unique set of product(s) and territories. Except as specifically set forth therein, Alvotech disclaims responsibility for the content of periodic filings, disclosures and other reports made available by its partners. For more information, please visit www.alvotech.com. None of the information on the Alvotech website shall be deemed part of this press release.

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STADA information for journalists:
STADA Arzneimittel AG - Media Relations
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Phone: +49 (0) 6101 603-165
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Phone: +49 (0) 6101 603-4689
Fax: +49 (0) 6101 603-215
E-mail: ir@stada.de
Or visit us on the Internet at www.stada.com/investor-relations

ALVOTECH Investor Relations and Global Communications
Benedikt Stefansson, VP
alvotech.ir@alvotech.com

¹ Uzpruvo^® is currently not approved for the ulcerative colitis indication, since the originator still has exclusivity for this indication
² Union Register of medicinal products - Public health - European Commission (europa.eu)

Source: Alvotech