Rituxan will be off patent in 2013 in Europe

[fairlight]

http://seekingalpha.com/article/761421-rituxan-and-its-biosimilar-competitors?source=yahoo

 

[August59]

Rituximab is also in clinical trials for MS to, I think. Not sure what phase, but if they found enough uses for a generic rituximab it might make it profitable for someone to go after a generic version.

 

[shannah]

Here's some info on the MS trials with Rutuximab dated July 16th, 2012.

MS Trial Alert: Drug Study at NIH Recruiting People with Secondary-Progressive MS

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ne...169&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

[Sherlock]

Unfortunately, AFAIK no one is allowed still to make generic versions of biologic medications, even when off patent in the U.S. as per the FDA. The rationale is that they are too difficult to make properly.

Generics are allowed only for traditional, chemical compounds whose patents have expired. You can't get them for complex biological drugs such as hormones or antibodies used in cancer treatments. Some of the world's most potent and popular medicines fall into this biotech basket, and existing federal laws prevent them from going generic.

http://www.businessweek.com/stories...siness-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice

more here: http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/drugs/trade-name_and_generic_drugs/generic_biologic_drugs.html

But then, Europe and Mabthera might be different?