Drug ##makers such as Switzerland 's Roche are expected to be hit by the long - awaited threat of cut - price competition from biosimilar drugs , following regulatory approval of copycat versions of its biological cancer treatments . The crisis will increase the onus on the pharma firm to make a success of its new cancer drugs ; Perjeta , Gazyva and Tecentriq , as margins from some of its established competitors come under pressure . The first impact from Herceptin biosimilars is expected by the end of this year. Together , revenues from Roche 's Rituxan , Herceptin and Avastin stood at CHF20.9bn ( $ 21.8bn ) for 2016 , though their combined sales are expected to fall 30 % by 2020 .
Drug ##makers such as Switzerland 's Roche are expected to be hit by the long - awaited threat of cut - price competition from biosimilar drugs , following regulatory approval of copycat versions of its biological cancer treatments . The crisis will increase the onus on the pharma firm to make a success of its new cancer drugs ; Perjeta , Gazyva and Tecentriq , as margins from some of its established competitors come under pressure . Together , revenues from Roche 's Rituxan , Herceptin and Avastin stood at CHF20.9bn ( $ 21.8bn ) for 2016 , though their combined sales are expected to fall 30 % by 2020 .