Dermatologists’ Perspectives on Biosimilars

April 2024 | Volume 23 | Issue 4 | 277 | Copyright © April 2024


Published online March 27, 2024

Priscila Arellano Zameza MSa, Christina Kontzias BAa, Keith Flanders MBAb, Peter Sonnenreich MAc, Steven R. Feldman MD PhDa,d,e

aCenter for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
bLEO Pharma, Ballerup, Denmark 
cKikaku America International, Bethesda, MD 
dDepartment of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 
eDepartment of Social Sciences & Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC

initiatives, such as modules and workshops, that focus on biosimilar safety, efficacy, and interchangeability guidelines. 
 
This survey was limited by a relatively small sample of respondents. Despite this, clear patterns emerged regarding provider factors limiting the adoption of biosimilars to treat dermatological conditions. Additionally, this survey explored a limited number of barriers and facilitators to the uptake of biosimilars by dermatologists.18 Another potential limitation was the exclusion of dermatology residents and fellows, who may hold a different opinion of biosimilars than established, practicing dermatologists included in the survey.

Overall, the development of new biosimilars is ongoing due to market demand for cost-effective treatments. Although biosimilars in dermatology are currently limited to psoriasis and HS, the recent approval of biologics for other dermatologic conditions, such as pemphigus vulgaris and atopic dermatitis, foreshadows the development of biosimilars for these reference products. Biosimilars in dermatology are here to stay, with more in development, and there may be a need to educate dermatologists about their applications in clinical practice. 

DISCLOSURES

Feldman has received research, speaking, and/or consulting support from Eli Lilly and Company, GlaxoSmithKline/Stiefel, AbbVie, Janssen, Alovtech, vTv Therapeutics, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Samsung, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Amgen, Dermavant, Arcutis, Novartis, Novan, UCB, Helsinn, Sun Pharma, Almirall, Galderma, Leo Pharma, Mylan, Celgene, Ortho Dermatology, Menlo, Merck & Co, Qurient, Forte, Arena, Biocon, Accordant, Argenx, Sanofi, Regeneron, the National Biological Corporation, Caremark, Teladoc, BMS, Ono, Micreos, Eurofins, Informa, UpToDate and the National Psoriasis Foundation. He is the founder and part owner of Causa Research and holds stock in Sensal Health. Flanders is the director of marketing at Leo Pharma. Kontzias and Arellano Zameza have no conflicts to disclose.

Funding source: Leo Pharma.

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AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE

Christina Kontzias BA kontziasc@vcu.edu
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