Ensuring familiarity with the area
Pharmacy teams and individuals planning to use golimumab biosimilar should prepare carefully. Read the following to understand where golimumab is currently recommended for use.
National guidelines
Ensure you are familiar with:
- Golimumab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (NICE TA220)
- Golimumab for treating non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (NICE TA497)
- Golimumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after the failure of previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (TA225)
- Infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis after the failure of conventional therapy (NICE TA329)
- Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, tocilizumab and abatacept for rheumatoid arthritis not previously treated with DMARDs or after conventional DMARDs only have failed (NICE TA375)
Where NICE has recommended the reference product (‘the originator’), the same advice will apply to the biosimilar medicine.
Product characteristics
Simponi (Janssen-Cilag) is the golimumab reference product. Refer to the product characteristics (SPC) for the licensed indications and full prescribing advice. Simponi is available as:
Changes with golimumab
The patent for Simponi expired in 2025; Gobivaz (Advanz) has now launched and is available on NHS framework.
Refer to the product characteristics (SPC) for the licensed indications and full prescribing advice. Gobivaz is available as:
Biosimilars under assessment
Gotenfia (Stada) has received positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Stada has exclusive rights to commercialise Gotenfia in the UK.
Planning for implementation
We recommend the system starts planning for the best value biologic.
Pharmacy will need to work collaboratively across the integrated care systems to plan for implementation and identify potential barriers. This will include collaboration with prescribing clinicians, specialist nurses, business managers, finance and contracting teams, pharmaceutical industry and homecare providers.
As golimumab is predominantly supplied through homecare, early engagement with homecare teams and providers is essential if a switch is planned.
Implementation checklist
Use our implementation checklists to support planning.
Patient information sheet
SPS has produced a patient information sheet that can be adapted locally.
SPS resources on use of biosimilars
We provide background information on biologic and biosimilar medicines to support those new to the area or for those who would like to refresh their knowledge.
Understanding biological and biosimilar medicines
The licence and supporting evidence for golimumab biosimilar
SPS resources on pipeline medicines
Be aware of information on pipeline golimumab biosimilars. Detail is available from:
Update history
- Development update for Gobivaz, now launched. BAT2506 now known as Gotenfia, and positive opinion received in EU. Link added to the license and supporting evidence for biosimilar golimumab page.
- Patient information leaflet updated to version 2.
- Phase 2/3 checklists added to page.
- Page updated with EU progress towards licensing; brand name added for Advanz product.
- Patient information leaflet (for local adaption) added to page.
- Published