Biosimilars/Research

US prescribers’ views on the naming and labelling of biologicals

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 14/07/2017

The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) has published the results of a survey in which they asked 400 US physicians for their views on the labelling of biosimilar medicines, and a separate survey in which they asked another 400 US physicians for their views on the naming of biosimilar medicines [1]. All those surveyed were prescribers of biological medicines. The surveys were carried out in the run up to the release of guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the non-proprietary naming of biological products.

Real world switching data for etanercept biosimilar Benepali

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 14/07/2017

Real world evidence from a study of etanercept biosimilar Benepali (SB4) compared to Amgen/Pfizer’s arthritis blockbuster Enbrel (etanercept) have demonstrated ‘sustained efficacy and safety, and high acceptance and adherence in patients initiating treatment with Benepali (etanercept)’, according to Biogen.

Pharmocovigilance of rituximab in Argentina

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 07/07/2017

Novex is a rituximab medicamento biológico similar (similar biological medicines) approved in Argentina. According to Argentinian regulations such products need to implement an active pharmacovigilance programme. This requires regular reporting to the Argentinian regulatory agency Administración Nacional de Medicamentos, Alimentos y Tecnología Médica (National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices; ANMAT).

Trastuzumab biosimilar could reduce breast cancer treatment costs

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 30/06/2017

Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that interferes with the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neu receptor. In some cancers, notably certain types of breast cancer, HER2 is overexpressed, and causes cancer cells to reproduce uncontrollably. Trastuzumab is therefore used to treat certain breast cancers.

Biosimilars and sustainability

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 23/06/2017

Competition between brand-name biologicals and biosimilars has the potential to reduce future cancer costs, according to researchers from Italy [1].

Boehringer Ingelheim’s adalimumab biosimilar ‘equivalent’ to Humira

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 23/06/2017

Germany-based biologicals specialist Boehringer Ingelheim (Boehringer) announced on 14 June 2017 positive results from its pivotal phase III study of its candidate adalimumab biosimilar.

Biosimilar infliximab safe and effective in IBD

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 16/06/2017

A systematic review and meta-analysis of Celltrion/Hospira’s infliximab biosimilar, Remsima/Inflectra found it to be safe and effective in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) [1].

Infliximab biosimilar coming closer to interchangeability

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 09/06/2017

Three studies presented at the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2017 have shown no significant differences in efficacy or safety endpoint. Two of the studies also specifically tested outcomes in patients switching from the originator infliximab product, Remicade, to the biosimilar version.

Predictive modelling of CIN prophylaxis with biosimilar filgrastim

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 09/06/2017

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) stimulate white blood cell production and as such are indicated in the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) and febrile neutropenia (FN). Risk models of CIN/FN to date focus on predictors measured at the start of chemotherapy. Aapro and colleagues used a dynamic approach of CIN/FN risk modelling at the start of each cycle.

How the FDA regulates biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 02/06/2017

The advent of recombinant DNA-technology ushered in the development of novel therapeutic protein products that have become mainstays of treatment regimens against cancer, inflammatory disorders and other serious diseases and conditions. Recombinant therapeutic proteins are typically large, complex molecules that are produced in cultured cells and manufactured using complex, multistep purification processes. Despite some of these products being ‘off-patent’ for years, they remain among the most expensive pharmaceuticals in the US and the world. One approach that governments across the globe have taken to reduce healthcare costs is to give regulatory authorities the ability to approve biologicals using an abbreviated licensing pathway that includes achieving the rigorous standard of demonstrating ‘biosimilarity’ with an already approved biological product.