Biocon Biologics Expands U.S. Reach as Yesintek Wins Key Formulary Backing

Biocon Biologics has accomplished a major breakthrough in the U.S. with wide-ranging market access for Yesintek (ustekinumab-kfce), its biosimilar to Stelara, marking its first commercial launch in the country as a fully combined biosimilar company. The company announced that Yesintek is now included in various national and commercial formularies, representing coverage for over 100 million lives across the U.S.

Express Scripts: Added to National Preferred Formulary (NPF) as of March 21, 2025; Cigna: Added to commercial formulary starting March 21, 2025; UnitedHealthcare: Coverage across commercial (May 1), Medicaid (March 1), and Medicare (June 1, 2025) CVS Health: Coverage starts July 1, 2025, Optum Rx: Added to premium and select formularies from July 1, 2025

Yesintek has also been selected for enclosure by several other health plans and PBMs, including Navitus, MedImpact, Costco Health Solutions, UPMC, and is the exclusive ustekinumab product for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Florida Healthcare Plan, and others. Additional formulary agreements are in progress.

Shreehas Tambe, CEO and MD of Biocon Biologics, called Yesintek's adoption "an important milestone," highlighting the company's scientific sincerity and reliable supply chain. Josh Salsi, Head of North America, added that 70 to 80 percent of the commercial market is now covered, increasing access to inexpensive biosimilars.

Approved by the U.S. FDA in December 2024, Yesintek is used to treat Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis, and it offers a cost-effective substitute in the management of prolonged autoimmune diseases.