Biosimilars

Two trastuzumab biosimilars submitted to FDA

Biosimilars/News | Posted 15/09/2017

Two different groups announced that their trastuzumab biosimilars had been successfully submitted to the US Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) for review.

Strategies of players on the global biopharmaceutical market

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 08/09/2017

With many expensive and high-selling biologicals losing patent protection and other exclusivity rights, biosimilars of these molecules may now enter the market, resulting in a shift of market shares, revision of strategies of companies and attraction of new players to the biopharmaceutical market.

EC approval for three rituximab biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/09/2017

On 13 July 2017, three rituximab biosimilars, Blizima, Rituzena (previously Tuxella) and Ritemvia, received European Commission (EC) approval.

Boehringer Ingelheim starts phase III interchangeability trial for adalimumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/09/2017

Germany-based Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals (Boehringer Ingelheim) announced on 27 July 2017 that the first patient had been enrolled into the phase III VOLTAIRE‑X interchangeability study of its adalimumab biosimilar (BI 695501). The company says the trial ‘is the first study in the US to investigate an interchangeability designation for an adalimumab biosimilar candidate’.

Biological drug evolution: improved awareness and pharmacovigilance required

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 08/09/2017

The safety profile of established biological drugs can alter over time following changes to manufacturing processes. However, healthcare professionals are often unaware of changes and there is a need for improved pharmacovigilance, according to a report published by researchers in Scotland, UK [1].

FDA approves adalimumab biosimilar Cyltezo

Biosimilars/News | Posted 01/09/2017

On 25 August 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its second biosimilar version of AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab).

Australia’s TGA consults on naming of biologicals

Biosimilars/General | Posted 01/09/2017

Australia’s drug regulatory agency, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), announced on 28 July 2017 that it was opening a consultation on how to name biologicals.

Rituximab biosimilar CT-P10 could save Europe Euros 90 million in its first year

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 01/09/2017

A recent publication in Advances in Therapy suggests that introducing CT-P10, a biosimilar of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab, would generate significant savings for European healthcare systems [1]. CT-P10 is approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for all indications held by reference rituximab, including rheumatoid arthritis and haematological cancers, such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Although the therapeutic benefits of anti-CD20 therapy are well established, the cost of reference rituximab is thought to create barriers to patient access [2]. It is hoped that the introduction of more affordable biosimilars will help address this issue. Gulácsi L et al. therefore quantified the potential budgetary impact of introducing CT-P10 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and CD20-positive cancers in 28 European countries [1].

Biological drug evolution: inadequate short-term clinical trials

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 01/09/2017

The safety profile of established biological drugs can alter over time following changes to manufacturing processes and short-term clinical trials fail to isolate adverse events, according to a report published by researchers in Scotland, UK [1].

EC approval for adalimumab biosimilar Imraldi

Biosimilars/News | Posted 01/09/2017

Samsung Bioepis announced on 25 August 2017 that it had received European Commission (EC) approval for its biosimilar adalimumab product Imraldi.