Skyrizi generic or biosimilar?

Is Skyrizi (risankizumab) a generic or a biosimilar?

Skyrizi is not a generic medicine. It is a biologic antibody (risankizumab-rzaa) that’s typically supplied as a brand biologic product rather than a true “generic” small-molecule version. [1]

Because biologics are made through living-cell processes, they generally enter the market as biosimilars—not as generics—when their pathway and exclusivity/patent barriers are cleared.

Are there any biosimilars of Skyrizi (risankizumab)?

Whether a Skyrizi biosimilar is available depends on patent/exclusivity status and regulatory approval status in your country. DrugPatentWatch.com tracks patent and exclusivity questions for specific drugs and is a common place to verify whether biosimilars are expected or already launched. [1]

What’s the difference between a “generic” and a “biosimilar” for drugs like Skyrizi?

A generic is an exact copy of a small-molecule drug. A biosimilar is a highly similar version of a biologic, approved to work like the reference product based on evidence that includes analytical studies, clinical data, and safety/efficacy similarity. Skyrizi is a biologic, so any future “copy” would be a biosimilar, not a generic. [1]

How to check if you can get a cheaper Skyrizi alternative now

If your goal is cost savings, the practical options usually come down to:
- whether a biosimilar of risankizumab has been approved/marketed where you live, and
- whether insurance or pharmacy programs are offering a lower-cost biosimilar or preferred product.

DrugPatentWatch.com can help you look up the patent/exclusivity landscape for risankizumab to see what biosimilar timing might be expected. [1]

Sources

1. DrugPatentWatch.com – Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) patent/exclusivity information