Biosimilars/General

Biosimilars highlights: 2019

Biosimilars/General | Posted 17/04/2020

There were many biosimilars approved in 2019, as well as new clinical trials, research into issues surrounding biosimilar use, and significant regulatory changes [1], as summarized below.

British Columbia releases latest data on biosimilar switches

Biosimilars/General | Posted 17/04/2020

The latest data on biosimilar switching in British Columbia, Canada shows that 28% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have switched to a biosimilar version of their medication.

Biocure developing five candidate biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 10/04/2020

South Korea’s pharmaceutical industry has fast been expanding as a world player. According to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, the Korean pharmaceutical industry in 2018 represented 1.8% of the world market, i.e. the 13th largest in the world.

Biosimilars and the safe harbor provision

Biosimilars/General | Posted 10/04/2020

In the US, the safe harbor provision exempts drug development and approval from patent infringement provisions, and courts have interpreted the safe harbor to apply broadly to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated and approved products, including biologicals. However, courts have continued to struggle with the application of the safe harbor to different types of FDA submissions as the regulatory process has become more complex – and largely have continued to expand its scope.

Access to biosimilars in China, the EU and the US

Biosimilars/General | Posted 03/04/2020

Access to more affordable treatments is the main driver for the approval of biosimilars. But how does this accessibility vary between Europe, the US and China?

The Patients Association publishes new advice on switching to biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 03/04/2020

Patient advocacy group in the UK, The Patients Association, has published new information and an animated video about switching to biosimilars.

US oncologist says Medicare should not practice medicine

Biosimilars/General | Posted 27/03/2020

Clinical oncologist, Dr Debra Patt, who serves on the US Oncology Research Breast Cancer Committee and chairs the breast cancer subsection of the pathways task force for The US Oncology Network, expresses her opinion on a new policy introduced by Medicare, which she believes is ‘having a negative impact on a patient’s outcome’.

FDA and FTC collaborate to deter anti-competitive behaviour for biologicals

Biosimilars/General | Posted 20/03/2020

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on 3 February 2020 that they would enhance their collaboration when it comes to anti-competitive behaviour in the biologicals’ marketplace.

Biosimilars applications under review by EMA – January 2020

Biosimilars/General | Posted 31/01/2020

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is the body responsible for approval of biosimilars within the European Union (EU). A legal framework for approving biosimilars was established in 2003. Approval of biosimilars is based on an abbreviated registration process, which allows biosimilars manufacturers to provide a reduced package of information compared to originator drugs, provided they can prove ‘similarity’ to the originator or reference drug.

Non-originator biologicals approved in Russia

Biosimilars/General | Posted 10/01/2020

Last update: 10 January 2020

In Russia, the regulatory body for the approval of medicines is Russia’s Ministry of Health (Министерство здравоохранения Российской Федерации; Rosminzdrav, Minzdrav).