The infliximab biosimilar Inflectra® will be discontinued in Canada as of September 30, 2025. This means that patients currently receiving Inflectra for inflammatory forms of arthritis or other autoimmune diseases will need to transition to another treatment. This transition is not due to any safety, efficacy, or quality concerns. Rather, it follows the end of a commercial agreement between Pfizer Canada, the distributor of Inflectra®, and Celltrion Healthcare, the manufacturer of Inflectra.
This JointHealth™ express explains what is changing, what your options are, and what steps you can take to ensure your treatment continues without interruption.
What’s changing?
- Inflectra® (infliximab), currently distributed by Pfizer Canada, will be discontinued as of September 30, 2025.
- On April 1, 2025, the same infliximab biosimilar product started to be marketed under a new name – RemdantryTM – by Celltrion Healthcare.
- Pfizer will continue to distribute any remaining supply of Inflectra until September 30, 2025, and all patients enrolled in Pfizer’s patient support program (PfizerFlex) will continue to have access to the support program until September 30, 2025.
Treatment options for patients
If you are currently receiving Inflectra®, you have three main treatment options:
- Transition to Pfizer’s Ixifi®
- Ixifi® is another infliximab biosimilar, approved by Health Canada in 2021 for all the same disease types as Inflectra® and Remicade®, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis.
- You can remain enrolled in PfizerFlex patient support program, as services will continue unchanged if you move from Inflectra® to Ixifi®.
- Reimbursement coverage for Ixifi® is already in place on many public and private plans—or Pfizer will provide assistance if your plan hasn’t yet listed it.
- Transition to Celltrion’s Remdantry™
- RemdantryTM is the same infliximab biosimilar as Inflectra®, now under a new Celltrion brand name and patient support program (Celltrion Connect PSP).
- Patients choosing RemdantryTM will be able to continue treatment without requiring a new prescription through the Celltrion Connect PSP and access reimbursement support and other services.
- Transition to another infliximab biosimilar
- Patients may also transition to other available infliximab biosimilar medications, including Avsola® and Renflexis® as intravenous infliximab biosimilar options, and RemsimaTMSC as a subcutaneous option.
Key dates
|
Date |
What happens |
|
April 1, 2025 |
Inflectra® is no longer available for new patients. Existing patients continue receiving it temporarily. RemdantryTM and Ixifi® enter market. |
|
April 1 – Sept 30, 2025 |
Transition period: Patients must switch to Ixifi®, RemdantryTM, or another infliximab biosimilar (e.g., Avsola®, Renflexis®, RemsimaTMSC). |
|
October 1, 2025 |
Inflectra® is no longer distributed or covered by public or private drug plans. Only other infliximab biosimilars will be reimbursed. |
Next steps for arthritis patients
Here’s what you should do to ensure your treatment continues smoothly:
- Talk to your rheumatologist as soon as possible about your infliximab biosimilar options.
- Decide whether to stay with your current Pfizer patient support program and transition to Ixifi®, transition to RemdantryTM and enroll in Celltrion’s patient support program or choose another infliximab biosimilar.
- In advance of September 30, 2025, ask your rheumatologist if a new prescription is needed and whether any changes to your Special Authorization are required (in most cases, new forms are not needed, but a new prescription may be).
- Enroll in the appropriate Patient Support Program (PSP):
- PfizerFlex PSP for Ixifi®
- Celltrion Connect PSP for RemdantryTM
- HARMONY for Renflexis®
- Enliven for Avsola®
You are not alone in this transition
It’s important to remember that the transition from Inflectra® to another infliximab biosimilar is part of a planned, managed process. This change does not impact the safety or effectiveness of your treatment, and biosimilars like Ixifi and RemdantryTM are thoroughly reviewed and approved by Health Canada.
Patients are encouraged to consult with their rheumatologist before making any medication changes. The goal is a smooth transition that maintains your health and well-being with no disruption in care.
If you have questions or need help navigating your options, contact your rheumatologist or pharmacist—or reach out to your current patient support program.
Still have questions?
Visit www.jointhealth.org or email us at feedback@jointhealth.org. To help you find where your province ranks in terms of providing reimbursement for medications approved for different types of inflammatory arthritis, including biologic (originator and biosimilar) and targeted synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (or DMARDs), view ACE’s Arthritis Medications Report Card.
Arthritis Consumer Experts is here, as always, to support you through every step of your treatment journey.