Biosimilars

EC approval of first ustekinumab biosimilar Uzpruvo

Biosimilars/News | Posted 16/01/2024

On 5 January 2024, the European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for the first ustekinumab biosimilar Uzpruvo (AVT04). The biosimilar of Uzpruvo is developed by Iceland-based biosimilar manufacturer Alvotech.

EMA recommends approval of ranibizumab biosimilar Rimmyrah

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/12/2023

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use announced on 9 November 2023 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for Rimmyrah (ranibizumab), a biosimilar that references ophthalmology drug, Lucentis.

FDA approves Zymfentra and advances for Yuflyma in the US

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/12/2023

On 23 October 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Celltrion’s Zymfentra (infliximab-dyyb) biosimilar as the first subcutaneous (SC) formulation of infliximab. In addition, Celltrion USA signed a contract with Ventegra to add Yuflyma (adalimumab-aaty) as a preferred formulary product in both public and private insurance markets.

Biological therapies for psoriasis: evaluating durability and persistent benefits

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 05/12/2023

A review by Rusiñol et al. emphasized the significant impact of biologicals on psoriasis management. Anti-IL-17 and anti-IL-23 biologicals are regarded as highly effective and long-lasting treatments in real-world scenarios, with IL-23-targeting biologicals showing the best safety profile and potential to modify the natural course of psoriasis.

Switches between biosimilars and their reference products

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 28/11/2023

Biologicals are the fastest-growing class of medications in the United States and account for a substantial and growing portion of healthcare costs. The Biologics Price Competition Act of 2009 created an abbreviated approval pathway for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help provide patients with greater access to safe and effective biological products. As of 1 November 2023, FDA has approved 44 biosimilar products, 7 of which are interchangeable biosimilars. These products can be used to treat many conditions such as chronic skin and bowel diseases, arthritis, kidney conditions, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, macular degeneration, and cancer.

EC approval of natalizumab, aflibercept and tocilizumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 28/11/2023

In September 2023, the European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for the biosimilars of Tyruko (natalizumab), Yesafili (aflibercept), and Tyenne (tocilizumab).

Latin America's biosimilars market: regulatory, institutional, and technological aspects

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/11/2023

According to a study led by Bas (2023), the Latin American (LA) biosimilars market is positioned for substantial growth over the next decades as a cost-effective alternative to expensive patented biomolecules [1].

EMA recommends approval of first ustekinumab biosimilar Uzpruvo

Biosimilars/News | Posted 14/11/2023

On 9 November 2023, the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorisation for the medicinal product Uzpruvo (ustekinumab), a biosimilar of reference product Stelara, intended for the treatment plaque psoriasis, including paediatric plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and Crohn’s disease in adults.

FDA approves first interchangeable ustekinumab biosimilar Wezlana

Biosimilars/News | Posted 07/11/2023

On 31 October 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Wezlana (ustekinumab-auub) as a biosimilar to and interchangeable with Stelara (ustekinumab) for multiple inflammatory diseases.

Canada’s Prince Edward Island adopts biosimilars switching policy

Biosimilars/General | Posted 07/11/2023

Canada’s Prince Edward Island (PEI) becomes the 11th Canadian jurisdiction to announce the adoption of biosimilars switching policies.

Impact of trastuzumab biosimilars use in metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 07/11/2023

A review conducted by Sarder and Ahmad attempted to describe and analyse the studies published in peer-reviewed literature on the use of trastuzumab biosimilars for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, including their efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties [1].

Alvotech biosimilars: FDA ustekinumab application rejection; adalimumab interchangeability designation re-submission

Biosimilars/News | Posted 31/10/2023

In October 2023, Iceland-based biosimilar manufacturer Alvotech, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a complete response letter (CRL) for Alvotech’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for AVT04, a biosimilar candidate to Stelara (ustekinumab). As such, the application was not approved. This follows Alvotech’s September 2023 resubmission of a BLA for their high-concentration biosimilar formulation to AbbVie’s blockbuster arthritis treatment Humira (adalimumab), AVT02 [1], following receipt of a similar CRL.

Japanese approval for first ustekinumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 24/10/2023

Iceland-based biosimilar manufacturer Alvotech announced on 25 September 2023 that its commercialization partner in Japan, Fuji Pharma Co Ltd (Fuji) had received marketing approval from Japan’s medicines regulatory agency, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), for its ustekinumab biosimilar AVT04 in Japan.

ASCO policy statement on biosimilars and interchangeables in oncology updated

Biosimilars/General | Posted 24/10/2023

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has released a new policy statement on the use of biosimilar and interchangeable products in oncology.

The statement proposes guidance and recommendations for stakeholders, including manufacturers, payers, regulatory agencies, clinicians, and patients, to ensure equitable access to high-quality care and to address challenges to biosimilar uptake [1].

Biosimilar anti-VEGF: transforming retina treatment economics in South Asia

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 24/10/2023

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF) agents combat retinal diseases causing blindness. However, high costs and non-adherence pose challenges. Ophthalmic anti-VEGF ranibizumab biosimilars, which have received multiple approvals in South Asia, are helping to reduce healthcare costs and revolutionize ophthalmic treatments.

Long-term data support the clinical comparability of AVT04 to Stelara

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 17/10/2023

Long-term efficacy, safety and tolerability data for the AVT04 ustekinumab biosimilar candidate developed in partnership by Alvotech and STADA corroborate the finding of therapeutic equivalence to the Stelara^® reference product in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis (PsO) in the primary endpoint at Week 12.

FDA approves first tocilizumab biosimilar Tofidence

Biosimilars/News | Posted 17/10/2023

On 29 September 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Tofidence (tocilizumab-bavi) as the first biosimilar to Actemra (tocilizumab). Tofidence is first-of-its-kind biosimilar tocilizumab to receive approval in the US.

Promotion of biosimilar product development in Puerto Rico

Biosimilars/General | Posted 17/10/2023

The Puerto Rico Economic Development Bank (Banco de Desarrollo Económico para Puerto Rico, BDE)announced in August 2023 a funding of US$3.85 million for Biosimilar Sciences PR, LLC (Biosimilar Sciences) and Ocyon Bio PR Inc (OcyonBio) to facilitate the purchase of specialized biotechnology equipment. This funding comes from the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) of the US Treasury for Small Businesses.

FDA grants interchangeable designation to adalimumab biosimilar Abrilada

Biosimilars/News | Posted 10/10/2023

US-based pharma giant Pfizer announced on 5 October 2023 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated Abrilada (adalimumab-afzb) as an interchangeable biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab). The interchangeable designation applies to all approved indications of Abrilada, including certain patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa and uveitis.

Topline results for Hadlima biosimilar in interchangeability study

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 10/10/2023

Samsung Bioepis and Organon announced topline results from interchangeability study of their Humira biosimilar, SB5/Hadlima, in August 2023.