Biosimilars

Biosimilars: similar but not identical

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 07/11/2014

One reason for distrust among physicians over using biosimilars in extrapolated* indications could be the fact that it is frequently cited that biosimilars are ‘similar but not identical’ compared to small molecule generics, which are often referred to as ‘identical’.

Predicting the response of diabetes patients to biosimilar insulin

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 07/11/2014

For patients with type 1 diabetes, the quality of the insulin they take is a matter of life and death. The situation is similar for patients with type 2 diabetes. The question is what will these patients think about switching from their current brand-name insulins to new biosimilar versions? The question is important right now with the imminent arrival of biosimilar insulins on the market.

Study into switching from Aranesp to biosimilar epoetin alfa

Biosimilars/News | Posted 07/11/2014

Biologicals major Amgen has started recruiting patients for a clinical trial to study the effect of switching patients from the originator biological Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) to biosimilar epoetin alfa, in other words, from a long-acting to a short-acting epoetin.

Coherus sells shares to raise funds for biosimilars programme

Biosimilars/News | Posted 07/11/2014

US-based biosimilars developer Coherus BioSciences (Coherus) is looking for further funding for its biosimilar programme. The company is preparing to sell shares in the company in order to raise funds to get three of the biosimilars in its pipeline through clinical trials.

Improved labelling sought for biosimilar acceptance

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 31/10/2014

The terms of approval for every biosimilar and its reference product must be made clearer, argue the European Biopharmaceutical Enterprises (EBE) [1]. The development of biosimilar regulatory pathways worldwide has been led by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) [2], but EMA’s information-driven stepwise approach is only reflected in a single section of the product labelling for healthcare professionals and patients, which so far has followed a generic approach in Europe.

Biosimilars of pegfilgrastim

Biosimilars/General | Posted 31/10/2014

Last update: 15 January 2021

Pegfilgrastim is a PEGylated form of the recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) analogue filgrastim. It serves to stimulate the level of white blood cells (neutrophils). Pegfilgrastim treatment can be used to stimulate bone marrow to produce more neutrophils (white blood cells) to fight infection in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

LG Life Sciences and Mochida make deal for adalimumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 31/10/2014

South Korea-based LG Life Sciences and Japan-based Mochida Pharmaceutical (Mochida) announced on 15 October 2014 that they had signed a deal to co-develop and commercialize an adalimumab biosimilar for the Japanese market.

Study results show safety of switching to biosimilar infliximab

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 31/10/2014

US-based Epirus Biopharmaceuticals (Epirus) announced on 23 September 2014 positive week 58 follow-up data from its global phase III study for its biosimilar infliximab (BOW015). Results of the open label phase, which was carried out in rheumatoid arthritis patients, demonstrated comparable safety and efficacy compared to the originator product (Remicade).

Extrapolation for biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 24/10/2014

Regarding extrapolation* of indications for biosimilars, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has stated that ‘if clinical similarity can be shown in a key indication, extrapolation of efficacy and safety data to other indication(s) of the reference product may be possible’ under certain conditions [1].

Biosimilar bevacizumab similar to Avastin in preclinical assessments

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 24/10/2014

Preclinical assessments have demonstrated the similarity of biologicals major Amgen’s biosimilar bevacizumab candidate (ABP 215) to Avastin [1].