Biosimilars/General

FDA updates Purple Book database

Biosimilars/General | Posted 25/09/2020

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its searchable Purple Book database to include allergenic, cellular and gene therapy, haematologic and vaccine products.

Country scorecards show biosimilar sustainability

Biosimilars/General | Posted 18/09/2020

Biosimilars are an important component of sustainable health systems as they provide alternatives to originator biological products once those products no longer have market exclusivity. Europe has the world’s largest biosimilar market, accounting for approximately 60% of the global market. European countries therefore serve as valuable examples of successful approaches to biosimilar policy [1]. Nevertheless, across Europe, the level of competition among biosimilars differs widely by country and by molecule, as does the extent of their use and their impact on pricing. Much of this variability can be linked to differences in health system policy elements that contribute to sustainable market conditions for biosimilars.

Duopharma to establish Malaysia’s first commercial biosimilar facility

Biosimilars/General | Posted 11/09/2020

Malaysia-based manufacturer Duopharma Biotech aims to establish Malaysia’s first commercial biosimilar production facility. The company is also working to achieve halal certification for its erythropoietin biosimilar, Erysaa.

WHO prequalifies Celltrion’s trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma

Biosimilars/General | Posted 04/09/2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified Celltrion Healthcare’s second biosimilar, a trastuzumab biosimilar sold as Herzuma.

Clinical trials for trastuzumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 28/08/2020

Roche’s originator trastuzumab biological (Herceptin) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 1998 and by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in August 2000 [1]. The patents on Herceptin expired in Europe in July 2014 and in the US in June 2019 [1]. This has led to biosimilars of trastuzumab being developed.

Biosimilar pipelines for Korean firms looking healthy

Biosimilars/General | Posted 24/07/2020

Korean companies are becoming more and important both in the country but also worldwide when it comes to developing biosimilars.

New Zealand IBD charity releases position statement on biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 17/07/2020

The charity Crohn’s and Colitis New Zealand has released a position statement on biosimilars, although there are not yet any biosimilars for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on the market in New Zealand.

Switching from biologicals to biosimilars in Australia

Biosimilars/General | Posted 19/06/2020

Switching* patients from originator biologicals to biosimilars has been a topic of keen interest in recent years across the globe, as more biosimilars have emerged onto the market. Authors from Shelston Intellectual Property discussed the unique approach that Australia has taken to switching.

Medscape hosts virtual symposium on biosimilars in IBD

Biosimilars/General | Posted 26/06/2020

Medscape held a virtual symposium on the use of biosimilars in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on 30 May 2020. The event covered issues including the regulatory approval process for biosimilars, research on biosimilars and switching.

ISOPP publishes a whole host of information on biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 12/06/2020

The International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP) has published a whole host of information on biosimilars in a supplementary issue of the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice.