Biosimilars

EMA accepts application for pegfilgrastim biosimilar from Coherus

US-based biosimilars developer Coherus BioSciences (Coherus) announced on 29 November 2016 that its application for approval for its proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar (CHS 1701) had been accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Positive phase III results for Boehringer’s adalimumab biosimilar

Germany-based biologicals specialist Boehringer Ingelheim (Boehringer) announced on 26 October 2016 positive results from its pivotal phase III study of its candidate adalimumab biosimilar.

Bevacizumab biosimilar application submitted to EMA

Biotech giant Amgen and its partner Allergan announced on 2 December 2016 that they had submitted their application for approval for their proposed bevacizumab biosimilar (ABP 215) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The companies believe this submission is the first bevacizumab biosimilar application submitted to EMA.

Positive phase III results for Celltrion’s rituximab biosimilar

Phase III studies of a rituximab biosimilar from Celltrion have, according to the company, shown that the biosimilar is ‘equivalent’ to Roche’s MabThera/Rituxan (rituximab).

Mylan and Biocon submit trastuzumab biosimilar to FDA

Generics giant Mylan Pharmaceuticals (Mylan) and Indian biosimilars major Biocon announced on 8 November 2016 that they had submitted the marketing application for their proposed trastuzumab biosimilar (Myl-1401O) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Positive results for etanercept and bevacizumab biosimilars

A phase III study of an etanercept biosimilar from Sandoz and a phase I study of a bevacizumab biosimilar from Boehringer Ingelheim have, according to the companies, shown the biosimilars to be ‘bioequivalent’ (bevacizumab) or have ‘equivalent’ safety and efficacy (etanercept) compared to their respective originator biologicals.

Biosimilar rituximab approved in South Korea

South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion announced on 17 November 2016 that the company had received approval for its rituximab biosimilar Truxima (CT-P10) from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS, formerly the Korea Food and Drug Administration).

Biosimilars of abatacept

Last update: 28 April 2017

Abatacept is a modified antibody biological drug used to treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, by interfering with the function of particular cells (T-cells) in the immune system. This action modifies the inflammation and immune activity which cause the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Mylan and Biocon submit insulin glargine biosimilar to EMA

Generics giant Mylan Pharmaceuticals (Mylan) and Indian biosimilars major Biocon announced on 3 November 2016 that the regulatory submission for their proposed insulin glargine biosimilar had been accepted for review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Biosimilars help reduce the costs of cancer care

The costs for cancer drugs have been increasing significantly in countries around the world. With the arrival of new therapies, the future of cancer care is exciting. But how will healthcare systems be able to pay for such innovations? In their commentary, Goldstein and co-authors discuss how biosimilars could help alleviate such challenges [1].

Safety differences in clinical trials for biosimilars

Differences in safety evaluations and findings between clinical trials for biosimilars are highlighted by researchers from the University of Massachusetts, USA and Newcastle University in the UK. This they argue is a reason for clinical trial design for biosimilars to be standardized [1].

FDA accepts application for bevacizumab biosimilar

Biotech giant Amgen and its partner Allergan, announced on 15 November 2016 that the regulatory submission for its proposed bevacizumab biosimilar (ABP 215) had been accepted for review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The companies believe this submission is the first bevacizumab biosimilar application submitted to FDA.

Assessing analytical comparability for G-CSF biosimilars

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a biosimilar is a biological product shown to be ‘highly similar to an FDA-approved biological product’, and which ‘has no clinically meaningful differences in terms of safety and effectiveness’. Only minor differences in clinically inactive components are allowable in biosimilars. Biosimilars of approved biologicals at the end of their patent life are expected to cost less but be as safe and effective for licensed clinical uses. To date, FDA has approved four biosimilars [1], while the European Union has approved more than 20 biosimilars [2].

Portuguese dermatologists’ position on the use of biosimilars in psoriasis

Biologicals have revolutionized the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. However, they impose a heavy burden on the healthcare system due to their high costs. In 2013, 27% of pharmaceutical sales were for biologicals. In 2015, two of the top five best-selling therapies were tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors, adalimumab and etanercept. Biosimilars, which may cost 25−30% less than the originator biological, thus represent a significant opportunity for savings to be made by both patients and healthcare systems.

Extrapolation of indications for biosimilar infliximab and etanercept

Biosimilar infliximab (Inflectra/Remsima) was approved in Europe in September 2013 for the same indications as the originator product (Remicade). More recently, biosimilar etanercept (Benepali) was approved in Europe in January 2016 for the same indications as the originator product (Enbrel) [1]. Researchers from the National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and King’s College London, discuss the extrapolation of the indications for the biosimilars [2].

EMA approves biosimilars of insulin glargine and teriparatide

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 11 November 2016 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for an insulin glargine biosimilar and two teriparatide biosimilars.

Celltrion submits trastuzumab biosimilar application to EMA

South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion has, according to The Korea Herald, submitted another biosimilar application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Trials for biosimilar etanercept

Biosimilar etanercept was approved in Europe in January 2016 [1]. Researchers from the National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and King’s College London, discuss the trials that led to the approval of biosimilar etanercept [2].

Differences in efficacy assessment in clinical trials for biosimilars

Clinical trial design should be standardized according to researchers from the University of Massachusetts, USA and Newcastle University in the UK [1]. They argue that a ‘standard clinical trial design be adopted for all biosimilars of a particular [originator biological] in a given disease’.

FDA accepts application for pegfilgrastim biosimilar from Coherus

Coherus BioSciences (Coherus) announced on 6 October 2016 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted for review a Biologics License Application (BLA) for the company’s pegfilgrastim biosimilar candidate (CHS-1701).

Biosimilars of natalizumab

Natalizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against the cell adhesion molecule α4-integrin. Natalizumab is believed to work by reducing the ability of inflammatory immune cells to attach to and pass through the cell layers lining the intestines and blood–brain barrier. Natalizumab is indicated for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (US and Europe) and Crohn’s disease (US).

Trials for biosimilar infliximab

Biosimilar infliximab was launched in the UK in March 2015. Researchers from the National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and King’s College London, discuss the trials that led to the approval of biosimilar infliximab [1].

Baxalta and Momenta part ways on adalimumab biosimilar

US-based biotechnology firm Momenta Pharmaceuticals (Momenta) announced on 27 September 2016 that it would regain rights to its candidate adalimumab biosimilar M923 from Baxalta, a spinoff company from Baxter International.

Biosimilars in nephrology in the US

Biosimilars are biological medicines that are highly similar to the reference product with no meaningful clinical differences in terms of safety, purity and potency. All biologicals are produced by living cells resulting in an inherent heterogeneity in their higher order structures and post-translational modifications.

WHO proposes provisional implementation of biological qualifier

The World Health Organization (WHO) first introduced the concept of a biological qualifier (BQ) for naming biologicals back in 2014. This was followed by a draft proposal on naming biologicals, including biosimilars [1]. This has now been followed by the proposal to proceed with a provisional implementation of the BQ scheme accompanied by a prospective impact study.

Standardizing clinical trials for biosimilars

Researchers from the University of Massachusetts, USA and Newcastle University, UK argue that clinical trial design should be standardized for future studies of biosimilars [1]. Indeed, they argue that a ‘standard clinical trial design be adopted for all biosimilars of a particular [originator biological] in a given disease’.

Study design for biosimilar trials

Biosimilars have been available in the field of rheumatology since 2015. In light of this fact, researchers from the National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and King’s College London, discuss study design for biosimilar trials [1].

Biogen’s infliximab biosimilar gets UK launch

US biotechnology company Biogen has launched their biosimilar of blockbuster anti-inflammatory Remicade (infliximab) across the UK.

NOR-SWITCH study finds biosimilar infliximab not inferior to originator

Results of a two-year phase IV study have shown that Celltrion Healthcare (Celltrion)’s infliximab biosimilar (Remsima, CT-P13) is not inferior to the originator biological Remicade.

Biosimilars versus generics

Since 2015, biosimilars have been available in the field of rheumatology. Researchers from the National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and King’s College London discuss how such biosimilars differ from the more traditional generics [1].

Pfizer to launch infliximab biosimilar Inflectra in US

Pfizer announced on 17 October 2016 that it will begin shipment of its monoclonal antibody biosimilar Inflectra (infliximab-dyyb) to the US in late November 2016.

Merck launches biosimilars educational resource for patients

US pharma giant Merck (known as MSD outside the US and Canada) has launched an online resource intended to be used as an educational platform for patients, caregivers and the healthcare community.

Use of biosimilar anti-TNF in Australia

With the advent of biosimilar anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF), new options have opened up for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Australia. Author Richard B Gearry of the University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand, discusses what needs to be taken into consideration when physicians prescribe anti-TNF products [1].

Teva and Celltrion to partner on biosimilars

Israeli generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) and South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion announced on 7 October 2016 that they had entered into an exclusive partnership for two of Celltrion’s monoclonal antibody biosimilars in the US and Canada.

Positive phase III results for Mylan’s biosimilar pegfilgrastim

Results of a study of Biocon and Mylan’s comparing Biocon/Mylan’s biosimilar pegfilgrastim (MYL-1401H) to the originator (Neulasta) has ‘demonstrated equivalent efficacy’, according to Mylan [1].

Court rules in favour of Apotex in biosimilars dispute

Biosimilars specialist Apobiologix, which is part of the Apotex group, announced on 9 September 2016 that it had won its battle in the US against biologicals giant Amgen with respect to its filgrastim (Grastofil) and pegfilgrastim (Lapelga) biosimilars.

EMA accepts application for trastuzumab biosimilar

Samsung Bioepis, which is a joint venture between South Korean electronics giant Samsung and biotechnology company Biogen, announced on 3 October 2016 that its regulatory submission for its proposed trastuzumab biosimilar (SB3) had been accepted for review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The company says the marketing application was submitted in August 2016.

Biosimilars in rheumatology

In 2015, the rheumatology community saw the emergence of the first biosimilars onto the market. Biosimilars are not new to the medical community at large, having been on the market in the European Union (EU) since 2006. However, their arrival into the field of rheumatology is new and, according to researchers from the National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and King's College London, ‘comes with great anticipation’ [1].

FDA approval for Amgen’s adalimumab biosimilar

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on 23 September 2016 that it had approved Amgen’s biosimilar version of AbbVie’s arthritis blockbuster Humira (adalimumab).

Switching may not be suitable for patients with immunogenicity

Results of a study of antibodies to infliximab comparing both the originator (Remicade ) and biosimilar (Inflectra/Remsima; CT-P13) versions has shown ‘cross-immunogenicity’ between the originator and biosimilar in patients with rheumatic diseases [1].