Viatris has revealed its commercial strategy for its Semglee insulin glargine biosimilar in the US after winning a landmark first designation of interchangeability for the product from the FDA that will allow pharmacy-level substitution with a year of exclusivity.

Sanofi’s Lantus stands alone as the only insulin product still listed in the ‘Orange Book’ post-transition because it is referenced in Mylan/Biocon’s pending 505(b)(2) application for insulin glargine; the FDA said it stands ready to review biosimilar and interchangeable applications that reference the newly ‘deemed’ biologic products.

With rebate reform efforts stalled, insulin manufacturer broadens efforts to lower prices through authorized generics, but PBMs may still like the big rebates they can get on the original brands.