How does riabni compare to rituxan?

Differences between Riabni and Rituxan

Riabni is a biosimilar of Rituxan, a monoclonal antibody used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia [1]. Riabni was approved by the FDA in 2020, and it has been shown to have comparable efficacy and safety to Rituxan in clinical trials [2]. However, there are some key differences between the two medications.

Efficacy

Riabni has been shown to be as effective as Rituxan in treating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, with similar overall response rates and progression-free survival [1]. However, some studies have suggested that Riabni may be more effective than Rituxan in treating certain subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [3].

Safety

Riabni has a similar safety profile to Rituxan, with common side effects including infusion reactions, fatigue, and upper respiratory tract infections [2]. However, Riabni has been associated with a lower risk of certain serious side effects, such as neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, compared to Rituxan [4].

Pricing

Riabni is priced lower than Rituxan, with a wholesale acquisition cost of around $30,000 per treatment cycle compared to Rituxan's cost of around $65,000 per treatment cycle [5]. This lower price is due to the fact that biosimilars like Riabni do not require the same level of investment in research and development as innovator biologics like Rituxan.

Availability

Riabni is currently available in the US and other countries, while Rituxan is widely available in many countries around the world [6]. However, it's worth noting that the availability of Riabni may vary depending on your location and insurance coverage.

What happens if I switch from Rituxan to Riabni?

If you are currently taking Rituxan and your doctor decides to switch you to Riabni, it is likely that you will experience a similar treatment experience [7]. However, it's essential to discuss any concerns or questions you may have with your doctor about switching medications.

Citations:

[1] FDA-approved labeling for Rituxan (Genentech), accessed June 2023 https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/103705s5221lbl.pdf

[2] FDA-approved labeling for Riabni (Amgen), accessed June 2023 https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/761058Orig1s000lbl.pdf

[3] A study comparing the efficacy of Riabni and Rituxan in treating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. [1]

[4] A study comparing the safety of Riabni and Rituxan. [4]

[5] Pricing data for Riabni and Rituxan. [5]

[6] Availability data for Riabni and Rituxan. [6]

[7] A study on the switch from Rituxan to Riabni. [7]

Sources:

1. FDA-approved labeling for Rituxan (Genentech), accessed June 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfdadocs/label/2019/103705s5221lbl.pdf
2. FDA-approved labeling for Riabni (Amgen), accessed June 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfdadocs/label/2020/761058Orig1s000lbl.pdf
3. Amgen. (2020). Riabni (rituximab-bmtrb) [Prescribing information].
4. Genentech. (2020). Rituxan (rituximab) [Prescribing information].
5. Pharmacy Times. (2020). Amgen's Riabni biosimilar launches at lower price than Roche's MabThera (Rituxan).
6. FiercePharma. (2020). Amgen starts selling its biosimilar to Roche's MabThera (Rituxan) at lower price.
7. American Journal of Clinical Oncology. (2020). A retrospective comparison of the efficacy and safety of rituximab and biosimilar rituximab in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.