On November 22, 2022 Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: AMRX) ("Amneal" or the "Company") reported the commercial launch of RELEUKO (filgrastim-ayow), a biosimilar referencing Neupogen (Press release, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, NOV 22, 2022, View Source [SID1234624363]). RELEUKO is used to treat neutropenia which is commonly experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy. This product was developed in collaboration with Kashiv Biosciences, LLC located in Chicago, Illinois.

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"RELEUKO is our second U.S. biosimilar launch and represents the next step in building out our biosimilars business. This product is another important oncology therapeutic offering for providers and their patients as we look to make essential medicines more accessible for all"

According to IQVIA, U.S. annual sales for filgrastim for the 12 months ended August 2022 were $390 million, of which $272 million represented biosimilar sales.

About RELEUKO

RELEUKO in the U.S. is indicated:

To decrease the incidence of infection‚ as manifested by febrile neutropenia‚ in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti- cancer drugs associated with a significant incidence of severe neutropenia with fever.
To reduce the time to neutrophil recovery and the duration of fever, following induction or consolidation chemotherapy treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
To reduce the duration of neutropenia and neutropenia-related clinical sequelae‚ e.g., febrile neutropenia, in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies undergoing myeloablative chemotherapy followed by bone marrow transplantation (BMT).
To reduce the incidence and duration of sequelae of severe neutropenia‚ (e.g., fever‚ infections‚ oropharyngeal ulcers) in symptomatic patients with congenital neutropenia‚ cyclic neutropenia‚ or idiopathic neutropenia.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Patients with a history of serious allergic reactions to human granulocyte colony-stimulating factors such as filgrastim products or pegfilgrastim products.

Before you take RELEUKO, tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to breast feed, and if you have sickle cell disorder, kidney problems or receiving radiation therapy.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Fatal splenic rupture: Patients may experience enlarged spleen which can rupture and cause death.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): Patients may develop fever and lung infiltrates or respiratory distress for ARDS. Discontinue RELEUKO in patients with ARDS.
Fatal sickle cell crises: Serious sickle cell crises have been reported in patients with sickle cell disorders receiving RELEUKO. Discontinue RELEUKO if sickle cell crisis occurs.
Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis: Permanently discontinue RELEUKO in patients with serious allergic reactions.
Kidney injury (Glomerulonephritis): Kidney injury have been reported in patients on RELEUKO. Consider dose-reduction or interruption of RELEUKO in patients with kidney injury.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): Monitor patients with breast and lung cancer using RELEUKO in conjunction with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for signs and symptoms of MDS/AML.
Decreased platelet count (thrombocytopenia); increased white blood cell count (leukocytosis) and inflammation of your blood vessels (cutaneous vasculitis) have been reported. Monitor platelet counts and white blood cell count.
ADVERSE REACTIONS

Most common adverse reactions in patients:

With nonmyeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs are pyrexia, pain, rash, cough, and dyspnea.
With AML are pain, epistaxis and rash.
With nonmyeloid malignancies undergoing myeloablative chemotherapy followed by Bone Marrow Transplant is rash.
With severe chronic neutropenia are pain, anemia, epistaxis, diarrhea, hypoesthesia and alopecia.
For full prescribing information, see package insert located here.