Biosimilar recombinant follicle stimulating hormones in infertility treatment

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a glycoprotein hormone essential for reproduction both in females and males and it is physiologically produced by the anterior pituitary gland in several isoforms. This heterogeneity is typical also of FSH-containing compounds, both urinary-derived and recombinant products. These compounds are widely used in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), to induce multifollicular development. Recently, the increased cost pressure on healthcare systems and the patent expiration date of widely used biotechnology-derived, recombinant FSH, prompted the pharmaceutical interest in FSH biosimilars.