Biosimilars

NHS England to increase biosimilar usage

Biosimilars/General | Posted 20/10/2017

On 12September 2017, National Health Service (NHS) England released a ‘Commissioning framework for biological medicines (including biosimilar medicines)’. In this document, they make a series of recommendations with the aim of increasing both biological and biosimilar uptake. As a result of increased competition between biologicals, creating better value biological medicines and biosimilars, NHS England believes that it can make savings of GBP 200 − GBP 300 million a year by 2020/21 by increasing uptake of these better value biologicals.

EMA accepts application for pegfilgrastim biosimilar from Cinfa

Biosimilars/News | Posted 13/10/2017

Spanish biosimilars developer Cinfa Biotech (Cinfa) announced on 4 October 2017 that its application for approval for its proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar (B12019) had been accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Adalimumab biosimilar ABP 501 shows similar efficacy, safety and immunogenicity

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 13/10/2017

Biosimilars are defined by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a biological product that is ‘highly similar to’ an approved biological product (the ‘reference’ or ‘originator’ or ‘bio-originator’ product) and that has ‘no clinically meaningful differences’ in safety or effectiveness compared to the reference product.

Nichi-Iko gains Japanese approval for infliximab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 13/10/2017

Japan-based generics maker Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical (Nichi-Iko) announced on 27 September 2017 that it had gained Japanese approval for its infliximab biosimilar.

Barriers to access to biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 13/10/2017

Barriers to the use of biosimilars include healthcare professional and patient opinions. But national and local guidelines, levels of funding and differing approaches to healthcare management can also influence access to biosimilars in different Member States of the European Union (EU), according to authors from the National Advisory Unit on Rehabilitation in Rheumatology and the Rheumatology Department of Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway [1].

JCR files for Japanese approval of agalsidase beta biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 06/10/2017

Japan-based JCR Pharmaceuticals (JCR) announced on 29 September 2017 that it had applied for Japanese regulatory approval for its agalsidase beta biosimilar (JR‑051).

Integrating biosimilars into clinical practice

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 06/10/2017

According to authors from the National Advisory Unit on Rehabilitation in Rheumatology and the Rheumatology Department of Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway, key questions when it comes to biosimilars include interchangeability, switching and automatic substitution [1].

FDA accepts application for Adello’s filgrastim biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 06/10/2017

US-based biosimilars specialist Adello Biologics (Adello) announced on 11 September 2017 that the regulatory submission for its proposed filgrastim biosimilar had been accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA Commissioner discusses challenges and opportunities for biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 06/10/2017

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its first biosimilar for cancer drug Avastin (bevacizumab) in September 2017 [1]. In light of this momentous event, FDA Commissioner Dr Scott Gottlieb spoke to medical reporter Laurie MicGinely, at The Washington Post’s Chasing Cancer Summit, about the challenges faced by biosimilars and the future opportunities in the US.

EMA approval for adalimumab and trastuzumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 29/09/2017

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 15 September 2017 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the adalimumab biosimilar Cyltezo and the trastuzumab biosimilar Ontruzant.