[1/2] The logo of Swiss drugmaker Novartis and its divisions Sandoz and Alcon are seen at an office building in Rotkreuz, Switzerland, January 29, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/Fle PhotoJuly 1 (Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Sandoz said on Saturday it had launched a biosimilar version of AbbVie Inc's (ABBV.N) big selling arthritis treatment Humira, adding to U.S. competition for the drug that started in January. The Novartis (NOVN.S)-owned company said its drug, Hyrimoz, will be priced at a 5% discount off Humira’s current list price of $6,922 per month, but that it was also offering an unbranded version of Humira at an 81% discount. The lower-priced version may attract healthcare systems that act as both an insurer and a provider and typically do not seek after-market discounts, as pharmacy benefit managers do. Rival Amgen Inc (AMGN.O) was the first to launch a biosimilar of Humira earlier this year, which debuted at a 5% and 55% discount to Humira, depending on who was purchasing.

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Persons: Arnd, drugmaker Sandoz, drugmakers, Patrick Wingrove, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Swiss, Novartis, Sandoz, REUTERS, Amgen, Pfizer Inc, Thomson Locations: Rotkreuz, Switzerland, KS, United States