Biosimilars/General

Addressing the persistent gap in Medicare access to Humira biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 16/04/2024

In an article by Dr Joshua Cohen, he discusses the challenges facing the adoption of biosimilars in the US, particularly focusing on Medicare beneficiaries' access to these lower-cost alternatives to brand-name biologics like Humira.

Biosimilars of omalizumab

Biosimilars/General | Posted 19/08/2016

Last update: 3 November 2017

Omalizumab is a recombinant DNA-derived humanized IgG1k monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to free human immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the blood and interstitial fluid and to membrane-bound form of IgE (mIgE) on the surface of mIgE-expressing B lymphocytes [1]. Unlike an ordinary anti-IgE antibody, it does not bind to IgE that is already bound by the high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) on the surface of mast cells, basophils, and antigen-presenting dendritic cells.

Brazil advances in follow-on biologicals/biosimilars approvals, trailing Europe

Biosimilars/General | Posted 09/02/2024

Brazil is the fourth-largest market in terms of approved follow-on biological medications worldwide. As of May 2023, Brazil has approved 52 follow-on biological medicines [1] and approximately 30 biological products awaiting testing or already being tested by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency, ANVISA (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária) [2].

Insurer perspective on increasing biosimilar uptake in Canada

Biosimilars/General | Posted 06/02/2024

In November 2023, Canada’s Prince Edward Island (PEI) became the 11th Canadian jurisdiction to announce the adoption of biosimilars switching policies [1-10]. This follows the trend in Canada, to try to increase the uptake of biosimilars.

CVS Caremark removes Humira in the US and Sandoz launches Hyrimoz in Europe

Biosimilars/General | Posted 30/01/2024

It has been announced that the US’ CSV Caremark, a CVS Health company and one of the country’s largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), will remove AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab), from its major national commercial formularies effective 1 April 2024, in favour of biosimilar options. In Europe, Sandoz has launched its biosimilar Hyrimoz (adalimumab), a citrate-free high-concentration formulation (HCF) indicated for all conditions of the reference medicine.

Biosimilars of adalimumab

Biosimilars/General | Posted 03/10/2014

Last update: 11 March 2024

Adalimumab is a human monoclonal antibody that treats autoimmune diseases by inhibiting tumour necrosis factor (TNF); a soluble inflammatory cytokine. Adalimumab binds to TNF-alpha (TNF-α), preventing it from activating TNF receptors, which cause the inflammatory reactions associated with autoimmune diseases. Adalimumab is indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid, juvenile idiopathic and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis and ulcerative colitis.

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.

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].

Biosimilars approved in Japan

Biosimilars/General | Posted 07/03/2014

Last update: 24 October 2023

In Japan, the regulatory body for the approval of medicines, including biologicals, is the Ministry for Health Labour and Welfare (MHLW).

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.

CVS’ Cordavis to launch Sandoz’s Hyrimoz (adalimumab)

Biosimilars/General | Posted 03/10/2023

In August 2023, CVS Health Corp announced it has launched a new company called Cordavis that will work directly with manufacturers to commercialize and co-produce biosimilar medicines for the US market.

Coherus retracts AbbVie restraining order in Humira biosimilar dispute

Biosimilars/General | Posted 11/08/2023

Coherus BioSciences agreed to retract its restraining order against AbbVie in June 2023, an action taken to prevent AbbVie from terminating its Humira licence deal [1].

Proposal to widen access to trastuzumab in New Zealand

Biosimilars/General | Posted 28/07/2023

In New Zealand there has been a proposal to widen access to intravenous trastuzumab from Herceptin to a biosimilar trastuzumab called Herzuma from 1 December 2023.

GADECCU position statement on biosimilars updated

Biosimilars/General | Posted 14/07/2023

GADECCU (Grupo Argentino de Enfermedad de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa), the Argentine Group for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, after providing key definitions on medical switch, non-medical switch and automatic substitution [1] and considering all the scientific information available, has updated its position in March 2023 regarding the use of biological medicines in clinical practice.

GADECCU presents a new positioning on biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 13/06/2023

The Argentine Group for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (Grupo Argentino de Enfermedad de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa, GADECCU) has released an updated position statement on biosimilars, particularly regarding the alternate use of innovative biological drugs and biosimilars during the same chronic treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Biosimilars approved in the US

Biosimilars/General | Posted 14/08/2015

Last update: 19 May 2023

In the US, a legal framework for approving biosimilars was established in 2009, via the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCI Act).

Biosimilars approved in Europe

Biosimilars/General | Posted 08/07/2011

Last update: 12 May 2023

In the European Union (EU), a legal framework for approving biosimilars was established in 2003. This framework means that biosimilars can only be approved centrally via the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and not nationally.

Biosimilars approved in Canada

Biosimilars/General | Posted 31/01/2014

Last update: 17 February 2023

In Canada, the regulatory body for the approval of biologicals is the Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate (BGTD) of the Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) of Health Canada.

Joint statement on biosimilars in immune-mediated diseases in Spain

Biosimilars/General | Posted 30/05/2023

A study conducted and published by Monte-Boquet E et al. aimed to improve knowledge and use of biosimilar medicines in immune-mediated diseases, and to produce a unified framework for the use of biosimilars [1].

An update on the joint EMA-HMA statement on interchangeability of biosimilar

Biosimilars/General | Posted 12/05/2023

On 21 April 2023, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) issued an updated joint statement on the interchangeability of biosimilars approved in the EU.

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