Merck Says BRENZYS Received Approval In Canada

(RTTNews) - Merck (MRK), known as MSD outside Canada and the United States, announced that BRENZYS or etanercept received approval in Canada for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

BRENZYS is a biosimilar to the originator biologic Enbrel and the first subcutaneous anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) biosimilar medicine available in Canada.

"The data demonstrated that BRENZYS had comparable efficacy and safety to the originator biologic Enbrel. Given that 4 of the top 5 selling drugs in Canada are biologics that can be used for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, the potential for biosimilars to reduce the cost of treating rheumatic diseases in Canada is significant," said Dr. Janet Pope, Division Head in Rheumatology at St. Joseph's Health Centre, London.