Pharma Giant Boehringer Ingelheim Slashes Humira Biosimilar Prices By 92%

Boehringer Ingelheim is entering the Humira (adalimumab) biosimilar market with an unbranded version of AbbVie’s reference drug, offering it at a steep 92% discount. This move is aimed at capturing market share. Starting now, patients can obtain adalimumab-adbm exclusively through GoodRx, an online telemedicine platform that collaborates with pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide prescription drugs at lower prices. Boehringer Ingelheim and GoodRx announced in a joint press release on July 18 that the price for a two-pack of pre-filled syringes or autoinjectors has been set at $550, reflecting a significant discount from Humira’s original list price.

With AbbVie’s Humira losing its patent protection last year, the market has seen a surge in biosimilars. Biosimilars are essentially equivalent to biologics approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. In its final year of market exclusivity, AbbVie’s Humira achieved $21.2 billion in sales. However, GlobalData analysis forecasts a significant decline in revenue, projecting a drop to $2.6 billion by 2030. Previously, Humira was priced at $7,000 for a four-week supply. The declining fortunes of Humira were highlighted when CVS Health, a major player in healthcare, removed the drug from its coverage list. Instead, CVS launched Cordavis, a new subsidiary focused on developing biosimilars. CVS had earlier projected that the US biosimilar market could generate over $100 billion in revenue by 2029.

Following the expiration of Humira’s patents, 11 rival companies introduced similar drugs to the market. Boehringer Ingelheim entered the competition last July with its branded version, Cyltezo, priced 5% below Humira. Later, they launched an unbranded version, offering an 81% discount on Humira. This dual pricing approach—releasing both branded and unbranded versions—was also adopted by Amgen and Biocon for their Humira biosimilars, Amjevita and Hulio. Despite these efforts, Cyltezo's launch was disappointing, with slower-than-anticipated adoption rates. Earlier this year, Boehringer Ingelheim even faced layoffs due to the sluggish performance. Now, partnering with GoodRx, Boehringer Ingelheim is making a renewed attempt to capture a share of the Humira biosimilar market.

Boehringer Ingelheim’s value and access Senior Vice President Chris Marsh said in a statement, “Patients with certain chronic inflammatory diseases who do not have insurance or are underinsured may not be able to afford essential biologic medicines, including biosimilars, to treat their disease. Partnering with GoodRx to offer our biosimilar adalimumab-adbm at a low price to these patients helps us deliver on our commitment to lowering financial barriers and improving access to critical treatments.”

AbbVie is banking on its autoimmune medications Skyrizi (risankizumab) and Rinvoq (upadacitinib) to offset the revenue dip caused by Humira’s decline. According to GlobalData analysts, AbbVie's strategy of leveraging these advanced treatments has successfully mitigated the risk of losing ground in the autoimmune market. Conversely, for its rivals, this move represents a significant missed chance.