Biocon Biologics bags multiple market access for its biosimilar drug Yesintek

Biocon Biologics’ Yesintek has already been approved by major Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) & Insurers in the US
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DHIRAJ SINGH

Biocon Biologics, a biosimilars company and subsidiary of Biocon Ltd, secured multiple market access agreements for Yesintek, a biosimilar to Stelara, used for the treatment of common chronic autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis. The market access agreements from numerous plans represent over 100 million lives in the United States.

According to the company, Yesintek has already been approved by major Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) & Insurers in the US. This includes Express Scripts adding it to the National Preferred Formulary (NPF) which was effective from March 21, 2025. Cigna has added it to its commercial formulary beginning on March 21, 2025. UnitedHealthcare has added Yesintek to several formularies including commercial beginning May 1, 2025; managed Medicaid beginning March 1, 2025; and Medicare beginning June 1, 2025. CVS Health and Optum Rx have added Yesintek beginning from July 1, 2025.

The biosimilar has also been selected into other formularies such as Navitus, Costco Health Solutions, MedImpact, Priority Health, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), and several other regional health plans. Additionally, it has been selected as the exclusive Ustekinumab (the active ingredient in Yesintek) by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), Florida Healthcare Plan, and several closed-door health systems.

Biocon Biologics stated it is in the process of finalising further agreements with additional commercial carriers as well. Yesintek received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in December 2024.

Shreehas Tambe, CEO & Managing Director, Biocon Biologics Ltd, said, “The strong adoption of Yesintek by payors in the U.S. reflects their confidence in our science, supply reliability, and commercial capability. The listing of Yesintek on multiple formularies is another validation that payors in the US are committed to broaden access to affordable treatment options.”

Josh Salsi, Head of North America, Biocon Biologics Inc., said: “More than 100 million Americans — representing 70 per cent – 80 per cent of the commercial market — are now covered for Yesintek through commercial formularies. This marks a significant step forward in bringing high-quality, affordable biosimilars to patients managing chronic conditions.”

Biocon biologics has commercialised eight biosimilars in markets across the US, Europe, Australia, Canada, and Japan. It has a pipeline of 12 biosimilar assets under development across diabetology, oncology, immunology, ophthalmology, and other non-communicable diseases. Last month, the company announced a license agreement with Regeneron to commercialize Yesafili, a drug used to treat ophthalmological conditions.

As of May 5, 11:07 am, the company’s stocks were trading at ₹333.55, up by 14.6 per cent.

(With inputs from businessline intern Nethra Sailesh)

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Published on May 5, 2025