Biosimilars - The Next Generics Honeypot

Quick correction - I mistakenly indicated that Momenta/Novartis has a window of exclusivity with its generic Lovenox. The first-to-file rule is not in effect here and Teva does not have any sort of statutory waiting period to deal with. I apologize for the error. 

Generic drugs are certainly a significant part of the landscape in the healthcare world. Not only do they save healthcare consumers (and their insurance companies) millions of dollars a year, but they are a thriving industry in their own right. Companies like India's Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (NYSE:RDY) and its nearly ten-fold larger rival Teva Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:TEVA) have certainly produced ample rewards for long-term investors. 

Now, though, there is a whole new window of opportunity opening for the generics companies - the opportunity to sell what amount to generic versions of biopharmaceuticals. Though the path will be difficult and expensive, this market represents a major opportunity for the generics industry and potentially a major threat for many large pharmaceutical companies. 


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