Boehringer layoffs tied to disappointing Humira biosimilar sales

WASHINGTON — Boehringer Ingelheim is laying off or relocating its sales staff for its Humira biosimilar Cyltezo in a sign of how difficult it’s been to get drug middlemen to adopt less-expensive versions of the blockbuster, the company confirmed. Some employees may find positions elsewhere in the company, but they are mostly being pulled from the field.

After two decades on the U.S. market, Humira (adalimumab) last year began facing competition from multiple less-expensive biosimilar versions of the blockbuster therapy. Cyltezo is one of the only biosimilars that can be substituted for Humira at the pharmacy counter without a doctor’s permission, so it is in a better competitive position than most others. 

The price of Humira rose 470% in the 20 years following its launch in 2003 to reach upward of $84,000 annually. List prices of Humira biosimilars are as much as 85% lower.