The US biosimilar market has matured significantly, moving beyond single-product competition toward comprehensive biosimilar portfolios that deliver real value. In 2024, biosimilars generated USD 20 billion in healthcare system savings, bringing the cumulative total since 2015 to approximately USD 56 billion. This article examines how strategic portfolio development shapes market access, health economics, and long-term sustainability in the United States drawing from insights shared by Chrys Kokino in a recent PharmaBoardroom interview.

Market Evolution and Current Trends

Biosimilar development began with only three main players: Sandoz, Teva, and Hospira. Early market expectations centred on modest discounts of five to ten percent. Today, discounts frequently reach 50 to 70 percent. Such progress demonstrates clear success in expanding patient access while lowering costs. However, the market has grown more complex, with powerful pharmacy benefit managers, group purchasing organisations, distributors, and the 340B programme all influencing contracting and reimbursement.

Manufacturers now recognise that launching isolated assets exposes them to difficult negotiations with limited leverage. In contrast, well-designed biosimilar portfolios create flexibility and enable providers to address multiple stages of a patient’s treatment journey.

From Single Products to Complete Treatment Frameworks

Experience shows that entering the market later does not preclude success when organisations understand local dynamics. Accord launched its trastuzumab biosimilar as the fifth competitor in the United States and secured nearly 12 percent market share. In Europe, the company introduced pegfilgrastim five years after the reference product yet eventually became the market leader.

The acquisition of the pegfilgrastim franchise in 2025 further illustrates this approach. Through careful integration across 20 parallel workstreams, the combined team increased market share from 18 percent to 32 percent within one year. This growth reflects successful commercial execution.

Today, Accord offers an integrated oncology solution for HER2-positive breast cancer patients that includes trastuzumab, both short- and long-acting G-CSF options (filgrastim and pegfilgrastim), and key chemotherapy agents such as cisplatin, carboplatin, and fluorouracil. Such portfolios fundamentally change discussions with hospital partners from single-product price negotiations to broader value-based conversations.

Targeting Overlooked Molecules for Sustainable Growth

While major molecules remain important, Accord deliberately pursues products with peak sales potential below USD 500 million or USD 1 billion. These overlooked molecules typically attract fewer competitors, integrate naturally into existing therapeutic areas, and support a balanced, profitable portfolio.

This strategy acknowledges the inherent volatility of the US biosimilar market. Development cycles of three to five years mean that commercial assumptions can change substantially by launch. Rising complexity around rebates, fees, distribution, and contracting has raised barriers to entry. Many companies may therefore withdraw from the space over time.

Policy Implications and Remaining Gaps

Biosimilars continue to demonstrate their economic power. In 2026, Medicare projected USD 6 billion in savings from negotiated prices on ten drugs under the Inflation Reduction Act. By comparison, biosimilars delivered more than USD 20 billion in savings across the entire healthcare system in 2024 alone.

Recent FDA guidance that simplifies approval pathways and clarifies interchangeability standards represents positive progress. Nevertheless, two important gaps must close before the market reaches full maturity. First, physicians need stronger confidence in real-world clinical outcomes. Second, the economic model must deliver sustainable value for every stakeholder, including manufacturers, providers, payers, and patients.

Leaders should therefore prioritise policies that accelerate adoption of existing biosimilar savings mechanisms rather than introduce further regulatory layers.

Recommendations for Industry Decision-Makers

• Develop comprehensive biosimilar portfolios instead of relying on single assets to gain negotiating strength and create genuine system value.
• Target balanced market shares between 10 and 18 percent to support a stable, multi-player ecosystem rather than pursuing unsustainable dominance.
• Focus on long-term commitment and patient access as core business principles that also drive sustainable profitability.
• Evaluate partnership opportunities based on a supplier’s ability to support complete treatment pathways across oncology, immunology, and other priority areas.

Conclusion

The US biosimilar market now rewards organisations that combine strategic portfolio design with genuine commitment to patients. By building integrated solutions around oncology, immunology, and central nervous system care, companies can move beyond price competition toward sustainable partnerships that improve access and reduce system costs.

The evidence shows that biosimilars already function as one of healthcare’s most effective tools for delivering cost savings and expanding treatment access. The priority now lies in fully embracing this proven mechanism across policy, contracting, and clinical practice.

Source

PharmaBoardroom. (2026, May 8). Chrys Kokino – President, Accord North America. https://pharmaboardroom.com/interviews/chrys-kokino-president-accord-north-america/