Biosimilars are reshaping pricing and drug development — the numbers behind it

Biosimilars are changing the landscape of healthcare. For comparison, studies in Japan showed that for 95% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, biosimilar CT-P13 (from the infliximab originator Remicade) saw remission rates and drug levels hold for 56 weeks. For folks in Japan, biosimilars, like CT-P13, through the National Health Insurance program, are 30% cheaper than the originators. That singular example is just one part of what is proving to be a universal experience.

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Since 2015, biosimilars have generated $81.6 billion in savings for both patients and the healthcare systems in the U.S., with the latter specifically enjoying $56 billion in savings, according to Cardinal Health's 2026 biosimilar report. The former, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “is on average 50% less than the reference brand biologic price was at the time of biosimilar launch, providing immediate cost relief to patients.”

Here's a look at how those savings are impacting a growing market:

• Biosimilars are making up 23% of the total U.S. biologics market — a share that has climbed steadily as more physicians and payers grow comfortable substituting biosimilars for originator biologics.
• 12.4% per year biosimilar price decline vs. 3.8% per year for the brand — a gap that reflects the price competition biosimilars introduce once multiple options enter a market.
• 25 new biosimilars expected 2026–2027; only 10% of 110+ soon-off-patent biologics have one in development — leaving a substantial gap between biologics losing patent protection and biosimilars ready to compete with them.
• 81% average oncology market share within 5 years of launch — a sign of how quickly providers adopt biosimilars once cost savings and clinical parity are established for high-cost cancer therapies.

While the savings and development of biosimilars are looking promising, the reality is it is not without its challenges. According to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), physician and patient buy-in, patent legislation, and interchangeability are all barriers to accelerating development. As momentum picks up, these figures will matter more than ever for pharmacy benefit managers, providers, and patients alike.