Biosimilars - Resources for Professionals
The resources provided here are designed to educate medical professionals about all aspects of biosimilars.
What are Biosimilars?
Biosimilars are biological therapies, proteins that have been made to target part of the immune system. Biosimilars are designed to be similar, near identical copies of other already approved biological therapies also known as the reference product or originator biologic. They are drugs that act just like the originator product, having the same effectiveness and safety in the patient population that it treats. Biosimilars are also taken in the same form as the originator product (example, by injection or intravenous infusion). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved biosimilars for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Foundation's Biosimilars Position Statement
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation advocates on behalf of the 1 in 100 Americans who are affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The Foundation believes that treatment decisions should be shared between the healthcare provider and the patient. You can find our current biosimilars position statement.
Biosimilar Education
Learn how biosimilars are used in the practice of gastroenterology in the US. This activity is a collaboration of the AGA Institute and the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. This program is supported by independent educational grants from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pfizer.
- IBD and Biosimilars: What Healthcare Professionals Need to Know
- Comprehensive Update of Biosimilar Therapies: Your Questions Answered
Resources you can share with Patients
Your patients will need to be as informed as possible about biosimilars so that they can work with you to advocate for their healthcare needs. Below are important educational resources you can share with patients.
- What Are Biosimilars? Handout
- Biosimilars education page for patients
- Biosimilars information for Consumers -- FDA
- Factsheet - Recently Approved Treatments