Biosimilars/Research

Questioning the need for ethnic sensitivity assessments for biosimilar monoclonal antibodies

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 27/03/2024

A GaBIJ perspective article entitled ‘Ethnic sensitivity assessments in biosimilar monoclonal antibodies clinical development programmes: necessary or not?’, was published by a group of authors from Biocon Biologics in August 2023 [1].

ANVISA's role in biosimilar medicine regulation and innovation promotion

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 22/03/2024

The focus of the study by Vilha et al. [1] was to comprehend the role of the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency, Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA), not only as a regulatory authority but also as a catalyst for technological development and innovation. ANVISA has implemented a significant change in the way health regulations are handled in Brazil.

Infliximab discontinuation in patients with originator retransition vs biosimilar continuation

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 07/03/2024

A study by Meijboom et al. aimed to compare the risk of and reasons for infliximab discontinuation between retransitioned patients and those remaining on biosimilar [1].

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.

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].

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].

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.

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.

IBD barriers: an analysis of Latin America

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/10/2023

A comprehensive review conducted by Queiroz et al. in 2023 [1] explores the barriers to accessing IBD care throughout Latin America, a large and diverse region used to describe South America, Central America, Mexico and the islands of the Caribbean. Each one of these regions/countries carries a different cultural and historical background, diverse political systems and a distinct healthcare system.

Ophthalmology biosimilars in Canada: a prescriber’s perspective

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 15/09/2023

The first biosimilar entered the Canadian market in 2009 and the first ophthalmic biosimilar was approved in 2022. Now, a report based on the results of a 2022 survey [1], reveals the views of prescribing ophthalmology physicians in Canada on product identification, prescribing biologicals and prescribing biosimilars and switching.

Response to Opinion on: Four steps for streamlining biosimilars development

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 18/08/2023

In the Opinion article, 'Biosimilars drug development: time for a paradigm shift?' published in GaBI Journal, the authors question the need for what they consider to be the arduous regulatory requirements for approval of biosimilars [1]. In response to this article, Dr Robin Thorpe, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the journal has published a rebuttal [2], providing insightful counterpoints to the concerns raised by the authors.

Four steps for streamlining biosimilars development

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/08/2023

The cost of developing biosimilars can be prohibitively expensive. A manuscript published in GaBI Journal entitled 'Biosimilars drug development: time for a paradigm shift?' [1], explores ways in which we can see leaner and faster biosimilar clinical trials, without compromise on safety and efficacy of the drug products.

Biosimilars: US prescriber’s attitudes and perceptions revealed

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 28/07/2023

report based on the 2021 survey carried out by the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) reveals the views of prescribing physicians, regarding the prescribing, substitution and interchangeability of biosimilars [1].

Clinical trial advances for Kashiv and Celltrion

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 24/07/2023

US-based Kashiv Biosciences announced that ADL018, a biosimilar candidate to Xolair (omalizumab), has completed a successful global phase I clinical study in healthy volunteers. In addition, South Korea’s Celltrion announced that it received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the phase III investigational new drug (IND) application of its biosimilar CT-P53 for Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), a treatment for multiple sclerosis.

Study investigates success of US ‘skinny label’ approval pathway

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 14/07/2023

Recent court rulings have put the US’ ‘skinny label’ approval pathway at risk. Now, a research letter published in JAMA Internal Medicine [1] has found approval and marketing of skinny label biosimilars have led to billions of dollars in savings to Medicare.

Low switch-back for patients treated with Avsola for IBD

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 06/06/2023

A study has reported low switch-back rates for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) switched from the reference infliximab product to Amgen’s biosimilar Avsola (infliximab-axxq), ABP 710 [1].

High mannose glycans in biosimilars and their pharmacokinetic impact

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 19/05/2023

A study conducted by Welch J et al. assessed the measurement, evaluation and potential for high mannose glycans to impact the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), based on data submitted in 21 applications reviewed and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  They also analysed reproducibility data of the glycan values for a subset of programmes within a reference product class. This reproducibility assessment enabled a broader cross-programme comparison of whether observed differences in high mannose between a proposed biosimilar and its reference product translate into PK differences.

Biosimilars in Southern European Hospital Markets: barriers and determinants of uptake

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 12/05/2023

A recent publication by Barcina Lacosta et al. reflected on the need to understand market dynamics generated following biosimilars availability in Southern Europe, emphasizing that the competitive potential of biosimilars can be further deployed [1]. Considering the country-, setting-, and product-specific nature of biosimilar uptake patterns [2-5], the authors focused the analysis on hospital tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor markets in Italy, Portugal and Spain [1].