After years of legal battles, the first of the eight adalimumab biosimilars expected to launch in July 2023 have entered the market.

Fresenius Kabi’s citrate-free adalimumab biosimilar IDACIO (adalimumab-aacf) is now available in the US.

IDACIO is available in a self-administered prefilled syringe and a self-administered pre-filled pen (autoinjector).

After years of legal battles, the first of the eight adalimumab biosimilars expected to launch in July 2023 have entered the market. In addition to Fresenius Kabi’s IDACIO (adalimumab-aacf), these include Boehringer Ingelheim’s Cyltezo (adalimumab-adbm), Coherus Biosciences’ Yusimry (adalimumab-aqvh), Organon and Samsung Bioepis' Hadlima (adalimumab-bwwd), and Sandoz' Hyrimoz (adalimumab-adaz), and Biocon Biologics Ltd’s HULIO (adalimumab-fkjp) 

“We are thrilled to launch IDACIO, our first immunology biosimilar in the U.S.,” says Ali Ahmed, senior vice president, Biosimilars at Fresenius Kabi USA, in a news release. “Our adalimumab biosimilar forms part of a dedicated pipeline of affordable and high-quality immunology biosimilars from Fresenius Kabi, aimed to improve the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases.”

An IDACIO-branded biosimilar is available in more than 35 countries. IDACIO (adalimumab-aacf) is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis in adults and plaque psoriasis.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a permanent product-specific Q-code for IDACIO (adalimumab-aacf). Under the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), the Q-code assigned to IDACIO is effective for patients administered IDACIO on and after July 1, 2023. The new code for IDACIO is Q 5131.

Q-codes are permanent reimbursement codes granted to biosimilars and used by commercial insurance plans, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and other government payers for Medicare Part B drugs like IDACIO that are administered by a physician. Claims submission and documentation are simplified with a permanent Q-code, facilitating and streamlining the billing and reimbursement process.