Cigna to offer biosimilar to J&J’s arthritis drug Stelara at $0 out-of-pocket

Cigna’s (NYSE:CI) pharmacy benefit manager, Evernorth Health Services, announced on Thursday plans to launch a biosimilar to Johnson & Johnson’s (NYSE:JNJ) blockbuster arthritis therapy Stelara early next year at $0 out-of-pocket.

The company said that Quallent Pharmaceuticals, its private label distributor, will manufacture the product, which will be available for most patients at $0 out of pocket through Quallent’s copay assistance program.

Offered through its specialty pharmacy, Accredo, Evernorth’s product is expected to save patients an average of $4,000 annually.

The company has obtained the FDA’s interchangeability status for the biosimilar, which means pharmacists can substitute it for Stelara without the advice of a healthcare professional.

Evernorth launched an interchangeable biosimilar to AbbVie’s (ABBV) blockbuster arthritis therapy, Humira, in June. According to the company, more than 25% of Accredo patients currently use that product, which was also made available at $0 out-of-pocket.