Biosimilars

FDA accepts application for Merck’s follow-on insulin glargine

US pharma giant Merck announced on 5 August 2016 that its regulatory submission for its proposed follow-on insulin glargine product (MK-1293) had been accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Pharmaceutical price regulation in Saudi Arabia: a countdown to affordable biosimilars

The pricing of pharmaceuticals and biosimilars is generally subject to national regulatory control. Regulation is in place to ensure pharmaceutical affordability, yet enable profitability for pharmaceutical companies and facilitate innovation. A recent paper on pharmaceutical price regulation in Saudi Arabia by Alhomaidan et al. [1], charts the regulatory procedures in place, and outlines how their evolution has led to today’s regulated pricing of biosimilars.

Positive phase III results for Amgen’s trastuzumab biosimilar

Results of a study of Amgen and Allergen’s trastuzumab biosimilar (ABP 980) compared to Herceptin (trastuzumab) have ‘ruled out inferiority’, according to the company.

Biosimilars of basiliximab

Basiliximab is a chimeric mouse-human monoclonal antibody to the α chain (CD25) of the IL-2 receptor of T cells. It is an immunosuppresant agent used to prevent immediate transplant rejection in people who are receiving kidney transplants, in combination with other agents.

Janssen Biotech files lawsuits for infringement of cell culture media patent

In ongoing litigation over infliximab biosimilars, Janssen Biotech, manufacturer of Remicade (infliximab), has filed two new lawsuits against Celltrion Healthcare, Hospira and HyClone Laboratories, a subsidiary of GE Healthcare Life Sciences, over the use of cell cultures grown for use in Celltrion’s biosimilar Remsima (infliximab), and Hospira’s biosimilar Inflectra (infliximab).

Pharmacovigilance of biologicals in Denmark

As a result of the increasing use of biologicals and biosimilars in Denmark, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in partnership with the country’s regulatory agency has set up an action plan to monitor biologicals and improve pharmacovigilance, as well as to improve understanding among healthcare professionals and patients [1].

Biosimilars of omalizumab

Last update: 3 November 2017

Omalizumab is a recombinant DNA-derived humanized IgG1k monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to free human immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the blood and interstitial fluid and to membrane-bound form of IgE (mIgE) on the surface of mIgE-expressing B lymphocytes [1]. Unlike an ordinary anti-IgE antibody, it does not bind to IgE that is already bound by the high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) on the surface of mast cells, basophils, and antigen-presenting dendritic cells.

Mylan and Biocon submit pegfilgrastim biosimilar to EMA

Mylan and Biocon announced on 21 July 2016 that the regulatory submission for their proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar (MYL-1401H) had been accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Bevacizumab similar biologics launched in India

Generics makers Reliance Life Sciences (Reliance) and Hetero have both launched similar biologics of Roche’s blockbuster cancer therapy Avastin (bevacizumab) in India.

Evolution of biosimilars in developed and developing countries

The development of biologicals has experienced continuous growth over the past three decades. The expiration of patent protection for many biologicals has led to the development of biosimilars in many countries around the world. This paper reviews the literature on biosimilars and covers their therapeutic status, clinical trials, approved biosimilars and regulatory guidelines in Japan, South Korea and Malaysia [1].

Biosimilars: the benefits need to be communicated

Extrapolation may be the most contentious issue of biosimilar development, but it is also its single greatest benefit, says Dr Martina Weise of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices in Germany.

Samsung Bioepis adalimumab biosimilar submitted to EMA

South Korean electronics giant Samsung and biotechnology company Biogen Idec’s joint venture Samsung Bioepis announced on 18 July 2016 that its adalimumab biosimilar candidate, SB5, had been accepted for review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Sandoz plans to launch five more biosimilars by 2020

Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, has announced plans for five major global biosimilar launches by 2020.

Biosimilars: clinicians and regulators need to talk

In Europe, there is a clear gap between the regulatory decisions that govern biosimilar approval and the recommendations of medical societies. The fact that the views of medical societies, whose members are the physicians that will prescribe biosimilars, disagree with those of regulators, may hold back biosimilar uptake. 

FDA rejects Sandoz’s biosimilar pegfilgrastim application

Novartis disclosed on 19 July 2016 that the application by its Sandoz unit to market a biosimilar version of pegfilgrastim has been rejected by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Pure red cell aplasia in a CKD patient after treatment with epoetin zeta

Authors from the Versilia and Manzoni Hospitals in Italy report the case of a patient who developed pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) following subcutaneous administration of epoetin zeta, which is one of the two biosimilars of epoetin alfa licensed in Europe [1].

FDA advisors recommend approval of Sandoz’s etanercept biosimilar

US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) advisors have voted to recommend the approval of Sandoz’s biosimilar version of Amgen/Pfizer’s arthritis blockbuster Enbrel (etanercept).

Biosimilars of tocilizumab

Last update: 4 December 2020

Tocilizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R). It is an immunosuppressive drug used mainly for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a severe form of arthritis in children. In Japan, tocilizumab is also approved for the treatment of Castleman’s disease, a rare benign tumour of B cells.

The economic impact of biosimilars in the US

Biologicals are large molecule compounds used to treat rare or complex diseases. Between 2013 and 2014, spending on specialty drugs, including biologicals, increased 32.4%, while spending on small-molecule drugs increased by just 6.8%. By 2016, eight of the 10 top-selling drugs are expected to be biologicals.

Positive clinical data for three anti-TNF-α biosimilars

Results of studies of three biosimilars from Samsung Bioepis, Benepali (etanercept), Flixabi (infliximab) and candidate biosimilar SB5 (adalimumab), have shown ‘comparable outcomes with regards to both the efficacy and safety of treatment’ when compared to their respective reference products, according to the company [1-3].

Doctors want more details in biosimilars labelling

In the European Union (EU), labels (Summaries of Product Characteristics, SmPCs) for biosimilars and their reference products are, in many instances, almost identical despite different data requirements for the authorization of biosimilars.

Mylan presents comparability data for trastuzumab biosimilar

Generics giant Mylan Pharmaceuticals (Mylan) presented robust data from its biosimilar trastuzumab programme at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting ASCO 2016 held in Chicago, USA on 3–7 June 2016.

Real-world safety data for epoetin alfa biosimilar

A 2-year post-marketing study of the epoetin alfa biosimilar Binocrit has found the biosimilar to be safe in daily clinical practice, according to the authors [1].

Health Canada approves Inflectra biosimilar for extra indications

US-based generics maker Hospira, now part of Pfizer, announced on 14 June 2016 that its infliximab biosimilar Inflectra had received approval from Canada’s medicines regulator, Health Canada, in three extra indications.

Biosimilar rituximab in biological naïve rheumatoid arthritis patients

Cost remains a major constraint in the use of originator biologicals in rheumatology in developing countries, paving the way for ever increasing usage of biosimilars. However, apart from the cost, their efficacy and safety are of tremendous interest to clinicians in both developing and developed worlds.

Insulin biosimilar meets primary endpoint in phase III studies

US pharma giant Merck announced on 13 June 2016 positive results from two phase III studies evaluating its insulin glargine biosimilar (MK-1293).

Improvement in uptake of biosimilars in Spain

Author Ainhoa Aranguren Oyarzábal and colleagues from the Madrid Health Service (MHS), Spain found that there has been an increase in the uptake of biosimilars in Spain since indicators were introduced [1].

Immunogenicity of biologicals: the role of post-translational modifications

Although produced under strict quality control(s) nascent endogenous proteins and glycoproteins (P/GP) are structurally heterogeneous and subject to further structural changes throughout their in vivo life cycle. A nascent polypeptide chain may be subject to co-translational modifications (CTMs) as it is extruded from the ribosome tunnel, e.g. the addition of oligosaccharide; edited for correct folding and initial oligosaccharide processing within the endoplasmic reticulum and subject to post-translational modifications (PTMs) during passage through the Golgi apparatus. The functional activity of a P/GP may be dependent on further chemical modifications (CMs), e.g. deamidation, enzymatic cleavage. These heterogeneities are compounded when determining the structure of a purified P/GP because further CMs may be introduced during its isolation, purification and characterization [1].

Alvogen opening biosimilars plant in Iceland

Iceland-based biopharmaceutical company Alvotech, a sister company of US generics company Alvogen, is set to open its state-of-the-art 11,800 square meter development and manufacturing facility for biosimilars in June 2016.

Effectiveness of ESAs in treating anaemia in kidney disease and cancer patients

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are biological analogues of human erythropoietin used for the treatment of anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chemotherapy treatment in cancer patients [1]. ESA biosimilars have been available on the Italian market since 2007. However, only limited post-marketing data exist on the comparative effectiveness of biosimilar and originator ESAs in routine care.

Biosimilars of eculizumab

Last update: 20 October 2017

Eculizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that is a terminal complement inhibitor. It is used to treat people with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH), for whom it improves quality of life but does not appear to affect the risk of death. It is also indicated for the treatment of patients with atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) – a disease that primarily affects kidney function – to inhibit complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy.

Rituximab biosimilar from Sandoz accepted for review by EMA

Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, announced on 24 May 2016 that its regulatory submission for its proposed rituximab biosimilar (GP2013) had been accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Samsung Bioepis infliximab biosimilar accepted for review by FDA

Samsung Bioepis (a Biogen and Samsung joint venture) and Merck announced on 24 May 2016 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted for review a Biologics License Application (BLA) submitted by Samsung Bioepis for the companies’ infliximab biosimilar candidate, SB2.

Monoclonal antibodies and the challenge of substitution

Healthcare payers are eagerly awaiting the arrival of biosimilar competition in the innovative monoclonal antibody sector in order to drive down drug prices and increase patients’ access to these medicines. As the first to introduce scientific and regulatory requirements for the approval of biosimilars in 2004, the European Union (EU) has emerged as a testing ground for biosimilars. In view of the lack of stance of EU governments and national institutions on substitution for biosimilars, hospitals and healthcare structures logically took up this major issue.

Roche sues India’s drug regulator over Avastin ‘similar biologics’

Switzerland-based drug giant Roche has sued the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) in the Delhi High Court over ‘similar biologic’ versions of its cancer blockbuster Avastin (bevacizumab).

Pharmacokinetic behaviour of a trastuzumab biocomparables

Biosimilars represent a viable alternative for the treatment of chronic and degenerative diseases of many patients worldwide who cannot afford the costs of biotherapies based on originator products. Trastuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody, which is used for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. In the review paper of Miranda-Hernández et al. [1], the authors described the development of a trastuzumab biocomparable by Mexico-based Probiomed. This biocomparable, according to the authors, was developed in compliance with international guidelines and the characterization of Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs), as well as the pharmacokinetic parameters evaluated in healthy volunteers, demonstrated comparability with the reference product.

Switching between different ESAs

Switching between reference biologicals and biosimilars can be a contentious issue. A study from Italy, however, has found that this phenomenon is not limited to reference products and their biosimilars, but also often occurs between originator biologicals and other originator biologicals within the same category [1].

Positive phase III results for omalizumab copy biological

US-based biopharmaceutical company Sorrento Therapeutics (Sorrento) announced on 16 May 2016 that its partner, MabTech had successfully completed a combined phase II and III clinical trial in China for STI-004, a copy biological for omalizumab (Xolair). STI 004 met its primary endpoint in a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study.

Uptake of biosimilars increasing in Spain

Use of biosimilars in Madrid, Spain, has increased after approaches were introduced to try and improve uptake of biosimilars in the country, according to Ainhoa Aranguren Oyarzábal and colleagues from the Madrid Health Service (MHS), Spain [1].

Clinical and regulatory issues for biosimilars

As the first biosimilars are being approved in the US, there are a number of clinical and regulatory issues that must be considered for the safe and appropriate utilization of these products within the health system [1]. Biosimilars provide the opportunity to lower cost and improve access to important biological treatments. However, their success will depend largely on their acceptance by clinicians, payers and patients.