Mochida has launched the first Japanese teriparatide biosimilar rival to Eli Lilly’s blockbuster osteoporosis drug Forteo. The company is hoping for big sales for the injectable in the country where the government is aiming to rein in healthcare costs for its rapidly ageing population.

Pfenex believes it and commercial partner Alvogen could enjoy an extended period as the only direct competitor to Eli Lilly’s Forteo teriparatide reference brand in the US.

Japan’s first biosimilar teriparatide has been approved for Mochida Pharmaceutical, while competition in the darbepoetin alfa arena looks set to step up following two recent authorizations.