Growing biosimilar pipelines pose long-term threat to branded pharma companies

The growing multitude of biosimilar products in clinical development presents challenges for branded biotech companies in the long term, according to a new report from Moody’s Investor Service.

These companies, and their ratings by Moody’s, include US firms Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN; Baa1 stable), AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV; Baa1 negative), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ; Aaa stable) and Switzerland’s Roche (ROG: SIX; A1 stable).

"Accelerating biosimilars pipelines, in conjunction with upcoming patent expirations, create a rising threat to the branded biotechnology industry over the next three to five years," said Michael Levesque, a Moody's senior vice president.