Switching to biosimilar infliximab: real world data in patients with severe inflammatory arthritis

Objective: to describe real world experience of switching from originator TNF inhibitor Remicade (infliximab), to the biosimilar Inflectra (infliximab) in severe inflammatory arthritis. Methods: from May 2015 patients receiving Remicade (infliximab) were switched to Inflectra (infliximab). We compared discontinuation rates due to inefficacy and adverse events (AEs) after switching to Inflectra (infliximab) with discontinuation rates whilst receiving Remicade (infliximab) in the year prior to the switch. Results: 59 patients agreed to switch, with 51 (86%) continuing after a mean follow-up 362 days (12.1 months.) Conclusion: safety and clinical efficacy of Inflectra (infliximab) appears similar to that of Remicade (infliximab).