AbbVie Asks Trade Commission to Block Humira Biosimilar From Alvotech

AbbVie is pushing the International Trade Commission (ITC) to prevent Iceland-based biosimilar developer Alvotech from marketing its biosimilar candidate to AbbVie's blockbuster Humira (adalimumab).

In a 60-page complaint, AbbVie argued that Alvotech misappropriated trade secrets in the making of its biosimilar candidate for adalimumab, AVT02, and that it shouldn’t be allowed to market its version once it becomes available in the U.S.

The company is also asking the commission to permanently ban Alvotech from bringing AVT02 to the U.S. for any purpose. U.S. Humira exclusivity is set to run out in 2023.

“AVT02 will undercut Humira significantly on price and unfairly compete, leading to lower revenue, lower profits, reduced return on investment and, as a result, significant injury to the industry that AbbVie has invested in significantly to develop in the United States,” AbbVie said in its complaint.