Biosimilars

Insulin aspart and denosumab biosimilars approved in US

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/03/2025

In February 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sanofi-Aventis’ Merilog (insulin aspart-szjj), referencing NovoNordisk’s NovoLog (insulin aspart); and Samsung Bioepis’ Ospomyv and Xbryk (denosumab-dssb), referencing Amgen’s Prolia and Xgeva, respectively. Additionally, the FDA granted a provisional determination of interchangeability designation for both Ospomyv and Xbryk with its reference medicines.

The ustekinumab shift: biosimilars displace Stelara’s market leadership

Biosimilars/General | Posted 12/03/2025

The ustekinumab market is heating up as biosimilar developers aggressively challenge the dominance of Stelara, Johnson & Johnson’s blockbuster drug for autoimmune diseases. With eight biosimilars approved in Europe and seven in the US, the competition is fierce, and the stakes are high. 

Biosimilars in low- and middle-income countries

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 05/03/2025

Biosimilars offer a viable route to treatment for those with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A review article published in GaBI Journal titled ‘Increasing adoption of quality-assured biosimilars to address access challenges in low- and middle-income countries,’ offers insights into the benefits of biosimilars for better access to biologics in LMICs, focusing on data from selected emerging markets (Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Taiwan, and Turkey).

FDA approves tocilizumab biosimilar Avtozma

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/03/2025

On 24 January 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved tocilizumab biosimilar, Avtozma (tocilizumab-anoh). Celltrion’s Avtozma (tocilizumab-anoh)/CT-P47 is a biosimilar referencing Roche/Genentech’s Actemra/RoActemra (tocilizumab). 

Brazilian law establishes December 16 as National Biosimilar Day

Biosimilars/General | Posted 05/03/2025

On 6 January 2025, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sanctioned Law 15.087/25, officially declaring December 16 as National Biosimilar Drug Day in Brazil. The law, published in the Official Gazette of the Union, aims to raise awareness about the importance of biosimilars in the healthcare system.

January 2025 biosimilar approvals in Europe

Biosimilars/News | Posted 25/02/2025

On 30 January 2025, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted positive opinions, recommending the granting of a marketing authorization for for three biosimilar medicines: Dyrupeg (pegfilgrastim), Pavblu (aflibercept) and its duplicate Skojoy (aflibercept).

EC approves eight biosimilars, eight more await final authorization

Biosimilars/News | Posted 18/02/2025

The European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for seven biosimilars: Sandoz’s Afqlir, Formycon’s Ahzantive/Baiama, Accord Healthcare’s Absimky and Imuldosa, Samsung Bioepis’ Opuviz, Midas Pharma’s Ranibizumab Midas, and Prestige Biopharma’s Tuznue during September 2024 to January 2025.

Canada approves first omalizumab biosimilar Omlyclo

Biosimilars/News | Posted 06/02/2025

On 6 December 2024, Health Canada approved Celltrion’s Omlyclo (CT-P39) omalizumab biosimilar – the first and only omalizumab biosimilar currently available in Canada. The product is a biosimilar of Novartis’ Xolair. 

Positive safety and efficacy primary endpoint results for AVT05 (golimumab proposed biosimilar)

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 28/01/2025

In November 2024, at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2024, Alvotech shared the positive results of the primary endpoint of their comparable safety and efficacy study for their golimumab proposed biosimilar, AVT05 [1]. This is a biosimilar candidate to Janssen Biotech’s anti-inflammatory drug product, Simponi.

EMA recommends approval for tocilizumab biosimilar Avtozma and filgrastim biosimilar Zefylti

Biosimilars/News | Posted 28/01/2025

On 12 December 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorization for two more biosimilars: Celltrion’s Avtozma and CuraTeQ Biologics’ Zefylti.