Lucentis biosimilar price set 63% lower than original

A drastic price cut

Price of CKD’s LucenBS is set at KRW 300,000... original price KRW 820,000

Samsung Biologics’ Amelivu set at KRW 460,000... expected to drastically reduce patient burden

Samsung Bioepis

Biosimilars of the macular degeneration treatment Lucentis (ranibizumab), which are set to be listed for reimbursement in Korea next month, are expected to be launched at a price much lower than their original.

 

As a result, the burden borne by these patients is expected to be reduced significantly.

 

According to industry sources on the 21st, the Lucentis biosimilars that are expected to be listed with reimbursement next month will be launched at a price 44~63% lower than the original version’s insurance ceiling price.

 

Chong Kun Dang’s LucenBS Inj is set to be listed at KRW 300,000 per vial.

 

The original version with the same ingredient of the same strength, Lucentis Inj 10mg/mL (3mg/0.3mL) is priced at KRW 820,636 per vial.

 

When listed, CKD’s product will be 63.4% cheaper than the original.

 

Samsung Bioepis’s Amelivu Inj is set to be listed at KRW 463,773.

 

The original version with the same ingredient of the same strength, Lucentis Inj 10mg/mL (2.3mg/0.23mL) is priced at KRW 828,166.

 

When listed, Samsung Bioepis’s product will be 44% cheaper than the original.

 

Even if the original drug's ceiling price drops by 30% after the listing of biosimilars, Chong Kun Dang's LucenBS will still be 47.7% cheaper and Samsung Bioepis’s Amelivu 20% cheaper.

 

Lucentis had been considered a drug with a high patient burden due to its high price.

 

In particular, due to the strict reimbursement standards, patients unable to meet the standards had to pay the full amount without reimbursement.

 

The situation had been eased somewhat since 2017 after the limit on the number of uses had been lifted, somewhat reducing the burden on patients.

 

With the listing of cheaper biosimilars, patients are expected to have a broader range of choices and less burden from treatment costs.

 

Lucentis’s annual sales in Korea have recorded KRW 35.1 billion (based on IQVIA 2021).

 

Just one-third of the sales will be KRW 10 billion.

 

This is why the two companies opted to release their biosimilars at a drastically reduced price to penetrate the market.

 

Also, Chong Kun Dang brings its strong sales power, and Samsung Bioepis partners with Samil Pharm, an ophthalmology drug-specializing company, to start full-scale sales and marketing activities.