Biosimilars

Cadila and Kalbe advancing biosimilar ambitions

Indian generics maker Cadila Healthcare (Cadila) and Indonesia-based Kalbe Farma (Kalbe) are both making advances into the biosimilars field.

Kissei/JCR’s darbepoetin alfa biosimilar shows equivalent safety and efficacy

Japan-based collaborators Kissei Pharmaceutical (Kissei) and JCR Pharmaceuticals (JCR) announced on 17 January 2018 positive results for the phase III study of their candidate darbepoetin alfa biosimilar, JR‑131.

EC approval for trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma

South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion announced on 14 February 2018 that it had received European Commission (EC) approval for its biosimilar trastuzumab product Herzuma (CT‑P6).

Pharmacy-mediated substitution: the global policy landscape

There is a complex global regulatory landscape when it comes to biosimilars. In particular, there is much debate over substitution practices. Substitution describes the practice where a pharmacist decides to change a product, dispensing an equivalent (generic small molecule) or highly similar product (biosimilar) without the prescribing physician’s prior consent. This is distinct from switching, whereby a physician changes a patient’s treatment, between reference product and a biosimilar, or between biosimilars. Between March and May 2017, Pfizer conducted an internal global survey of 82 countries in which it examined biosimilar pharmacy-mediated substitution. Here, the company hoped to understand and benchmark the global policy landscape [1].

Generics versus biosimilars: pricing and usage-enhancing policies

In Europe, pricing and demand-side measures for generic medicines are widely implemented and have undergone evaluations [1-4].  However, when it comes to biosimilars, the policies implemented by European countries are less well known and explored.

Biosimilars of denosumab

Last update: 11  December 2020

Denosumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that is an inhibitor of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), which works by preventing the development of osteoclasts which are cells that break down bone. It is used for the treatment of osteoporosis, treatment-induced bone loss, metastases to bone and giant cell tumour of bone.

Etanercept switching study investigates non-mandatory transitioning

A study carried out by researchers from The Netherlands investigated whether non-mandatory transitioning from originator to biosimilar etanercept improves retention rates [1].

EBE reveals Europe’s biosimilar pricing and reimbursement policies landscape

The first biosimilar was approved in the European Union (EU) in 2006. Since then, biosimilar policies have been developed with a focus on increasing biosimilar uptake. However, the extent to which EU Member State polices differentiate between biosimilars and generic medicines has been brought into question. The European Biopharmaceutical Enterprises (EBE) has conducted a second survey on pricing and reimbursement policies for off-patent biologicals to map the biosimilar policy landscape in Europe [1].

EMA approval for biosimilar insulin glargine Semglee

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 25 January 2018 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the insulin glargine biosimilar Semglee.

Quality and clinical performance of biopharmaceuticals

A review carried out by researchers from Sandoz describes the inherent nature of biopharmaceutical heterogeneity and discusses modern quality systems and regulatory frameworks used to maintain biopharmaceutical quality and clinical performance [1].

Zarxio reveals all: the US biosimilars market

Launched in 2015, Zarxio (filgrastim-sndz) was the first biosimilar to gain US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval [1]. It competes with Neupogen (its reference product), Granix and Neulasta, for a share of the neutropenia market. This approval came almost a decade after the 2006 launch of the first biosimilar in Europe. Following this, a new study has examined Zarxio’s first years’ performance in the US short-acting (SA) filgrastim market to identify key sales and marketing trends and their drivers [2].

Quebec adds biosimilar etanercept Erelzi to public drug plan

In August 2017, Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, announced that its etanercept biosimilar, Erelzi, was now available in Canada [1], after the company received Health Canada approval for the biosimilar in April 2017. Quebec is now the most recent Canadian province to add Erelzi to its public drug plan for the treatment of multiple inflammatory diseases.

Structure-function relationship between disulfide bonds and TNF-α neutralization in etanercept

Research carried out by Sandoz describes how a novel incorrect disulfide bridge structure present at low levels in commercial etanercept inhibits etanercept potency by reducing its ability to neutralize soluble tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) [1].

Denosumab biosimilar being developed in Australia

Australian biologicals company NeuClone disclosed on 5 January 2018 the fifth biosimilar candidate that the company is developing in its pipeline of monoclonal antibody (mAb) products. The product is a biosimilar candidate for denosumab and is currently in preclinical development.

The biosimilar landscape in Italy revealed

In Italy, health services are run at the regional level. To date, there has been no systematic monitoring of the uptake of biosimilars at a national or regional level. As such, the biosimilar landscape in Italy has not been well understood. However, a recent paper now provides an overview of the available real-world data relating to the patterns of use and the comparative effectiveness of biosimilars and originator biological drugs in Italy [1].

EC approval for bevacizumab biosimilar Mvasi

Biotech giant Amgen announced on 18 January 2018 that it had received European Commission (EC) approval for its biosimilar bevacizumab product Mvasi (ABP 215).

FDA accepts applications for adalimumab and trastuzumab biosimilars

Samsung Bioepis and Sandoz announced on 20 December 2017 and 16 January 2018, respectively, that the regulatory submissions for their proposed trastuzumab (SB3) and adalimumab (GP2017) biosimilars had been accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Danish etanercept switching study investigates withdrawal rates

A study carried out by researchers from Denmark has investigated switching from originator to biosimilar etanercept 1-year post switch [1].

Mylan/Momenta announce development strategy for aflibercept biosimilar

US generics giant Mylan and partner Momenta Pharmaceuticals announced on 3 January 2017 their development strategy for their aflibercept biosimilar, M710.

Trastuzumab biosimilars receive EMA and ANVISA approval

Trastuzumab products from Celltrion Healthcare (Celltrion) and Biocon/Mylan have received approval in Europe and Brazil.

Switching to biosimilars in rheumatology

Researchers from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, the UK and the US investigated switching from originator biologicals to biosimilars [1].

EMA accepts application for pegfilgrastim biosimilar from USV

India-based biologicals specialist USV Biologics (USV) announced on 7 December 2017 that the application for approval for its proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar has been accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Biosimilars applications under review by EMA – January 2018

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is the body responsible for approval of biosimilars within the European Union (EU). A legal framework for approving biosimilars was established in 2003. Approval of biosimilars is based on an abbreviated registration process, which allows biosimilars manufacturers to provide a reduced package of information compared to originator drugs, provided they can prove ‘similarity’ to the originator or reference drug.

Additional clinical data for Cinfa’s pegfilgrastim biosimilar

Spanish biosimilars developer Cinfa Biotech (Cinfa) announced on 2 November 2017 additional clinical data for its candidate pegfilgrastim biosimilar (B12019).

FDA approves follow-on insulin lispro Admelog

Pharma giant Sanofi announced on 11 December 2017 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved its follow-on version of Eli Lilly’s Humalog (insulin lispro).

Switching failures with biosimilar etanercept

A study carried out by researchers from Denmark has found that switching from originator to biosimilar etanercept does not work for all patients [1].

FDA approves biosimilar infliximab Ixifi

Pfizer announced on 13 December 2017 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved its biosimilar version of Johnson & Johnson and Merck’s Regicide (infliximab).

Bevacizumab similar biologic launched in India

India-based biologicals specialist Biocon announced on 23 November 2017 the launch of its product Krabeva, a ‘similar biologic’ of bevacizumab, in India.

FDA approves trastuzumab biosimilar Ogivri

On 1 December 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its first trastuzumab biosimilar.

Reimbursement for oncology biosimilars in the US

How reimbursement issues for biosimilars might affect US oncologists was a subject discussed by Dr Rena Conti, Associate Professor of Health Policy and Economics in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Chicago, USA [1].

Roche sues Pfizer over Herceptin biosimilar

Switzerland-based drug giant Roche has sued pharma giant Pfizer for patent infringement on its blockbuster breast cancer drug Herceptin (trastuzumab) in an attempt to block competition from Pfizer’s trastuzumab biosimilar.

Impact of follow-on biological products in the Brazilian health system

Cancer is an epidemic disease in the 21st century. However, despite consistent increases on its incidence worldwide, mortality rates have fallen, especially in developed countries [1, 2]. The victories mankind has achieved in the war against cancer result from advances in different fields, such as early diagnosis and better surgical, radiotherapeutic and systemic treatments.

EC publishes biosimilar Q&A document for patients in 23 languages

On 29 November 2017, the European Commission (EC) published a patient-focused Questions and Answers (Q&A) document on biosimilar medicines aimed at patients and the general public.

Hospital specialists and pharmacists surveyed about biosimilars

Biological medicines are essential for many acute and chronic conditions, but their consumption differs widely among European countries [1, 2]. In contrast with the procedures for their approval [3], position papers from scientific societies suggest that biosimilars need to be tested in well-designed, randomized, controlled clinical trials, especially for extrapolation of indications [4, 5]. Nevertheless, switches with originators are becoming common and no serious adverse effects have been reported to date [6-8].

EMA accepts applications for pegfilgrastim and trastuzumab biosimilars from Biocon/Mylan

India-based biologicals specialist Biocon and US-based partner Mylan announced on 1 December 2017 that the applications for approval for their proposed pegfilgrastim (MYL‑1401H) and trastuzumab (MYL‑1401O) biosimilars have been accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Positive phase III switching results for Celltrion’s infliximab biosimilar

Results of a phase III extension study have shown that Celltrion Healthcare’s (Celltrion) infliximab biosimilar (CT-P13) is shown to be comparable in efficacy and safety to Johnson & Johnson/Merck’s Remicade in switched inflammatory bowel disease patients, according to the South Korean biotechnology company.

EC approval for trastuzumab biosimilar Ontruzant

South Korean electronics giant Samsung and biotechnology company Biogen Idec’s joint venture Samsung Bioepis announced on 20 November 2017 that it had received European Commission (EC) approval for its biosimilar trastuzumab product Ontruzant (SB3).

Switching from reference infliximab to CT P13 in IBD patients

Argüelles-Arias and colleagues from the Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena and the University of Seville in Spain carried out an observational study assessing the efficacy and safety of switching from Remicade to CT P13 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for up to 12 months [1].

South Africa approves first non-originator biological

South Africa’s Medicines Control Council (MCC) has approved the country’s first non-originator biological, filgrastim, from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva).

Biosimilars in oncology in Europe

In the European Union (EU), a legal framework for approving biosimilars was established back in 2003. This framework allows for biosimilars to be approved using an abbreviated pathway centrally via the European Medicines Agency (EMA) [1].