On 5 September 2024, Cigna Group member, Evernorth, announced that it will offer biosimilar ustekinumab to US patients through its specialty pharmacy, Accredo, with no patient out-of-pocket costs. The biosimilar offering, available beginning in early 2025, will be offered at “80% lower than the list price for Stelara” and promises to save patients around US$4,000 per year. The interchangeable biosimilar to Janssen’s Stelara® will be produced for Evernorth’s affiliate private label distributor, Quallent Pharmaceuticals.
Evernorth made an adalimumab biosimilar available through Accredo in June 2024. Three months later, Evernorth states that more than 25% of eligible Accredo patients are now using that biosimilar.