&w=3840&q=100)
Biocon Biologics secures multiple market access coverage for Yesintek in US
Biocon Biologics, a subsidiary of Biocon, on Monday said that it has secured multiple market access agreements for Yesintek in the US, its biosimilar which resembles the properties of Stelara.
Clinical trials confirmed that Yesintek demonstrated comparable pharmacokinetics, safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity. A biosimilar is a biological medicine that is highly similar to an already approved biological medicine, also known as the reference product.
Pharmacy benefit management firms like US-based Express Script have added Yesintek to the National Preferred Formulary (NPF) effective March 21. US healthcare multinational Cigna has also added Yesintek to its commercial formulary beginning on March 21.
Yesintek has been approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis, offering patients more affordable options for managing these common chronic autoimmune conditions. It is available in the same formulations as Stelara.
Additionally, Yesintek has been selected as the exclusive Ustekinumab by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), Florida Healthcare Plan, and several closed-door health systems.
The company is also finalising formulary agreements with other commercial carriers, Biocon said in an exchange filing. The available dosages include 45 mg/0.5 mL prefilled syringe, 90 mg/mL prefilled syringe, 45 mg/0.5 mL vial, and 130 mg/26 mL vial.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Yesintek in December 2024.
'Yesintek represents an important milestone for Biocon Biologics, as this is the first product we have launched in the United States as a fully integrated biosimilars company. The listing of Yesintek on multiple formularies is another validation that payors in the US are committed to broadening access to affordable treatment options,' said Shreehas Tambe, CEO & managing director at Biocon Biologics.
Josh Salsi, head of North America at Biocon Biologics said, over 100 million Americans – representing 70 to 80 per cent of the commercial market – are now covered for Yesintek through commercial formularies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
36 minutes ago
- Mint
Trump says Xi agreed to restart the flow of rare earth minerals. Why are rare earths important for Chinese economy?
U.S. President Donald Trump told news agencies on Friday, 6 June 2025, that China's Xi Jinping has agreed to allow the export of rare earth minerals and magnets to the United States after a new round of talks amid the ongoing trade war. 'Yes, he did,' responded President Donald Trump when a reporter onboard Air Force One asked him about Xi's agreement on the rare earth deal. Trump reassured people that the US-China talks have resulted in a 'very positive conclusion,' which aims to make rare earth minerals no longer a topic of question. 'We're very far advanced on the China deal,' said Donald Trump, cited by the news agency Reuters. The Asian nation has also granted temporary export licenses to rare-earth suppliers of the top three automakers in the United States, reported the news agency, citing people aware of the development. According to Mint's earlier report, China imposed restrictions on its global export of rare earth minerals and magnets in April 2025. Although these restrictions came forth amid the ongoing trade and tariff war between the United States and other world nations, they are not specific to the US but apply to all other nations. Foreign companies like Tesla, Lockheed Martin, etc, from the aerospace, semiconductors, electronics, consumer goods, weapons, and auto sectors are the ones who are affected by this export curb, as they heavily rely on foreign imports for their component manufacturing. Indian automakers and clean energy companies have also suffered as China dominates the market for these rare earth commodities, and export curbs jeopardise the supply chains of many firms around the world. According to the Centre for Strategic & International Studies data, China refines over 92 per cent of the world's rare earth minerals, establishing a global dominance in the sector over other nations. Rare earth materials are used to manufacture many things which people rely on on a daily basis, from smartphone components to wind turbines. According to the news agency Reuters' report, apart from the 92 per cent production, the Asian nation also contributes to nearly 60 per cent of the global rare earth mine production. Several companies around the world are dependent upon the Chinese exports of these rare earth materials for use in the production of other finished goods. These rare earth metals, such as Cerium oxide, Bastnasite, Neodymium oxide, Lanthanum carbonate, Praseodymium, Dysprosium, and Terbium, are among other metals and magnets used to make commodities such as Batteries, Aircraft components, Electric Vehicles (EVs), Solar Cells, Wind Turbines, etc. According to an agency report, the world has 17 elements, including 15 silvery-white metals. The rarity of these materials is determined by the quality of them found in the Earth's crust. As there are very few deposits spread across the world, for China, this acts as a factor to assert global dominance. Data collected from Statista shows that the annual export value of China's rare earths was around $488.8 million. This has dropped marginally over 54 per cent when compared to its 2022 levels of $1,046.8 million. According to an earlier agency report, China restricted at least 16 minerals and related products since 2023, the latest ones coming after the nation retaliated against the US over the tariff war.
Hindustan Times
44 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
5 killed near aid site in Gaza; Israel denies role, says IDF fired ‘warning shots'
Palestinian health officials and witnesses say at least five people were killed and others were wounded by Israeli fire as they headed toward two aid distribution points in the Gaza Strip run by an Israeli and US-backed group. Israel's military said it fired warning shots at people who approached its forces. Four bodies were brought to Nasser Hospital in Gaza's southern city of Khan Younis. Palestinian witnesses there said Israeli forces had fired on them at a roundabout that is around a kilometre from a site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in the nearby city of Rafah. The Israeli military said it fired warning shots at people it said were suspects who had advanced toward its forces and ignored warnings to turn away. It said the shooting occurred in an area in southern Gaza that is considered an active combat zone at night. Meanwhile, Al-Awda Hospital said in a statement that it received the body of a 42-year-old man and 29 people who were wounded near another GHF aid distribution point, in central Gaza. The military said it fired warning shots in the area at around 6:40 a.m. but did not see any casualties. A GHF spokesperson said there was no violence in or around its distribution sites, all three of which delivered aid on Sunday. The group had closed them temporarily last week to discuss safety measures with the Israeli military and has warned people to stay on designated access routes. The spokesperson spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. The past two weeks have seen frequent shootings near the new hubs where thousands of desperate Palestinians are being directed to collect food. Witnesses say nearby Israeli troops have opened fire, and more than 80 people have been killed, according to Gaza hospital officials. Israel's military has said it fired warning shots or, in some instances, near individuals approaching its forces. Witnesses said Sunday's shooting in southern Gaza occurred at around 6 a.m., when they were told the site would open. Many had headed toward it early to try and get desperately needed food before the crowds. Adham Dahman, 30, who was at Nasser Hospital with a bandage on his chin, said a tank had fired toward them. 'We didn't know how to escape," he said. "This is trap for us, not aid.' Zahed Ben Hassan, another witness, said someone next to him was shot in the head. He said that he and others pulled the body from the scene and managed to flee to the hospital. 'They said it was a safe area from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. ... So why did they start shooting at us?' he said. 'There was light out, and they have their cameras and can clearly see us.' The military had announced on Friday that the sites would be open during those hours, and that the area would be a closed military zone from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. The hubs are set up inside Israeli military zones — where independent media have no access — and are run by GHF, a new group of mainly American contractors. Israel wants it to replace a system coordinated by the United Nations and international aid groups. Israel and the United States accuse the militant Hamas group of stealing aid, while the UN denies there is any systematic diversion. The UN says the new system is unable to meet mounting needs and allows Israel to use aid as a weapon by determining who can receive it and forcing people to relocate to where the aid sites are positioned. The UN system has meanwhile struggled to deliver aid — even after Israel eased its complete blockade of Gaza last month. UN officials say their efforts are hindered by Israeli military restrictions, the breakdown of law and order, and widespread looting. Experts warned earlier this year that Gaza was at critical risk of famine if Israel did not lift its blockade and halt its military campaign, which Israeli officials have said will continue until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is defeated or disarmed and sent into exile. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Talks mediated by the US, Egypt and Qatar have been deadlocked for months. In a separate development, the Israeli military accused a spokesperson for Gaza's Civil Defence of being an active Hamas member, according to documents it said were recovered during operations inside Gaza. The Associated Press was not able to independently verify the documents, which purport to show that Mahmoud Bassal joined Hamas in 2005. Bassal did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Civil Defence are first responders who operate under the Hamas-run government and often are first to arrive at the scenes of Israeli strikes. Hamas started the war with its massive attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, when Palestinians militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took another 251 people hostage. They are still holding 55 hostages, fewer than half of them alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel has recovered dozens of bodies, including three in recent days, and rescued eight living hostages over the course of the war. Israel's military campaign has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. It has said women and children make up most of the dead but does not say how many civilians or combatants were killed. Israel says it has killed over 20,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90 per cent of its population. The territory's roughly 2 million Palestinians are almost completely reliant on international aid because nearly all of Gaza's food production capabilities have been destroyed.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
JK Cement buys stake in J&K-based Saifco
JK Cement has completed the acquisition of a majority 60 per cent stake in Jammu & Kashmir-based Saifco Cements for Rs 150 crore, formalising a joint venture with the company. This makes the JK Organisation group firm as the first major cement manufacturer to set up manufacturing operations in Srinagar, signalling a step towards regional economic empowerment, according to a joint statement. As per the shareholders' agreement between the company and its promoters, JK Cement will acquire management control and hold 60 per cent of the paid-up capital of Saifco. 'The investment of Rs 149.81 crore would be paid to the existing promoters of Saifco and also to Saifco for acquisition of 60 per cent equity capital of Saifco,' it said. Following this, Saifco Cements has become a subsidiary of JK Cement with immediate effect. Moreover, the 'board of the Saifco shall be re-constituted and three persons nominated by the company will be appointed as additional directors on the board of Saifco and two directors will continue to represent the existing promoter and promoter group of Saifco,' it said. Incorporated in 1997, Saifco has an integrated plant in Khonmoh (Srinagar) and is manufacturing OPC with a clinker capacity of 0.26 MnTPA and a grinding capacity of 0.42 MnTPA. Its turnover for 2024-25 was at Rs 73.17 crore. JK Cement Managing Director Raghavpat Singhania said, 'We are pleased to welcome the Saifco Cements family into the JK Cement family. The Jammu & Kashmir market has untapped potential for local manufacturing, and with our combined expertise, we aim to transform the region and ensure benefits for the communities.'
