Biosimilars

FDA accepts biosimilar filgrastim application

Sandoz, the generic drug division of Swiss drug giant Novartis, announced on 24 July 2014 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted its application for approval of the company’s biosimilar filgrastim product.

Biosimilars of darbepoetin alfa

Last update: 20 November 2020

Darbepoetin alfa is a synthetic form of erythropoietin. It stimulates erythropoiesis (increases red blood cell levels) and is used to treat anaemia, commonly associated with chronic renal failure and cancer chemotherapy.

Phase I studies of infliximab and rituximab biosimilars demonstrate pharmacokinetic similarity

Results of phase I trials of pharma giant Pfizer’s biosimilar infliximab and rituximab candidates have demonstrated similar pharmacokinetic properties compared to the originator products [1, 2].

32 organizations agree biosimilars should have same names

On 1 July 2014, 32 organizations signed a letter calling on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require biologicals and biosimilars to have the same International Nonproprietary Name (INN).

EMA approves biosimilar insulin

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA’s) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 27 June 2014 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for a biosimilar insulin glargine product (LY2963016).

Biosimilar etanercept demonstrates equivalent efficacy

A phase III trial comparing Hanwha Chemical Corporation (Hanwha)’s biosimilar etanercept, HD203, with Enbrel (etanercept) has demonstrated equivalent efficacy [1].

ECCO position statement on biosimilars

The European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) is a non-profit association with the aim of improving the care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Europe. The association currently includes 2,519 individual experts, 33 country members and 17 corporate members.

Biosimilar infliximab comparable to Remicade

Results from a phase III trial have demonstrated the comparability of US-based Epirus Biopharmaceuticals (Epirus) biosimilar (BOW015) to Remicade for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Can the pursuit of biosimilar interchangeability go too far?

The question of biosimilar interchangeability – whether or not a biosimilar can safely be switched with another biosimilar or with the originator product – is a thorny one. In fact, write Hans C Ebbers and Paul Chamberlain [1], striving for some of the standards suggested to certify interchangeability may not be in a patient’s best interests.

Darbepoetin alfa ‘similar biologic’ launched in India

India-based Hetero, one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to the Indian pharmaceutical industry, announced on 18 June 2014 the launch of its first ‘similar biologic’ product Actorise, a ‘similar biologic’ of darbepoetin alfa in India.

Biosimilars of etanercept

Last update: 20 November 2020 

Etanercept is a biological drug that treats autoimmune diseases by inhibiting tumour necrosis factor (TNF); a soluble inflammatory cytokine. Etanercept is indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Biosimilars of epoetin alfa

Last update: 4 November 2019

Epoetin alfa is a human erythropoietin produced in cell culture using recombinant DNA technology. It stimulates erythropoiesis (increases red blood cell levels) and is used to treat anaemia, commonly associated with chronic renal failure and cancer chemotherapy.

Oncobiologics and IPCA create biosimilars alliance

US-based Oncobiologics announced on 2 June 2014 the creation of a two-part alliance for the development, manufacture and commercialization of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies with Indian generics maker IPCA Labs (IPCA).

Top 8 blockbuster biologicals 2013

The top three best-selling drugs during 2013 were biologicals. All three best-sellers are indicated for the treatment of arthritis, and include Abbott’s Humira (adalimumab), Merck’s Remicade (infliximab) and Roche’s Rituxan/MabThera (rituximab).

Biosimilars developer Coherus raises US$55 million investment

US-based biosimilars developer Coherus BioSciences (Coherus) announced on 19 May 2014 that it had raised investments of US$55 million. New investors KKR & Co LP, Venrock, RA Capital Management, Rock Springs Capital and Fidelity Biosciences joined existing investors Sofinnova Ventures, Lilly Ventures and Vivo Capital.

Biosimilars of bevacizumab

Last update: 5 February 2021

Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody. It inhibits angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) by blocking the action of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). Bevacizumab can therefore slow the growth of new blood vessels in tumours and is used to treat various cancers, including colorectal, lung, breast, glioblastoma, kidney and ovarian.

ABPI issues updated position paper on biosimilars

On 14 May 2014, the association that represents innovative research-based biopharmaceutical companies in the UK, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), issued the third edition of its position paper on biosimilars.

Pfizer to start phase III biosimilar trastuzumab trial

Pharma giant Pfizer is to start a global phase III trial for a biosimilar version of trastuzumab.

Biosimilars on the horizon

Europe approved its first monoclonal antibody biosimilar, Inflectra/Remsima (infliximab), in September 2013 [1]. But how does the pipeline look for biosimilars and what will be the next biosimilar to be approved?

Merck KGaA to invest Euros 100 million in biosimilars

Germany’s Merck KGaA is looking for new sources of growth, one of which it sees as being biosimilars.

Synthon’s SYD985 outperforms Kadcyla in vitro and in vivo

Synthon announced on 2 April 2014 that its antibody-drug conjugate SYD985 had outperformed Roche’s breast cancer blockbuster Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) in a head-to-head comparison.

First biogeneric for Iran

Iran has developed the country’s first ‘biogeneric’ drug for cancer patients. The announcement was made in the presence of Iran’s Deputy Health Minister Hassan Hashemia at the beginning of February 2014, according to a report in the Tehran Times.

Biosimilar epoetin shows good safety profile in post-authorization study

US-based generics manufacturer Hospira announced on 28 April 2014 positive results from a post-authorization observational safety study of its biosimilar epoetin product Retacrit/Silapo (epoetin zeta) in patients with renal anaemia [1].

Biosimilars applications under review by EMA – April 2014

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is the body responsible for approval of biosimilars within the European Union (EU). A legal framework for approving biosimilars was established in 2003. Approval of biosimilars is based on an abbreviated registration process, which allows biosimilars manufacturers to provide a reduced package of information compared to originator drugs, provided they can prove ‘similarity’ to the originator or reference drug.

Celltrion files infliximab patent lawsuit in US

South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion filed a lawsuit on 31 March 2014 in a federal court in Massachusetts seeking a declaratory judgement that Janssen Biotech’s (Janssen) remaining patents on the reference drug Remicade (infliximab) are invalid and unenforceable.

Biosimilars for inflammatory bowel disease in Norway

Europe approved its first biosimilar monoclonal antibody Inflectra/Remsima (infliximab) on 10 September 2013 [1]. The biosimilar is now recommended by the Norwegian Drug Procurement Cooperation (LIS) as the first choice, which carries out the procurement for all medicines financed by public hospitals in Norway. Gastroenterologists, however, are cautious about using the biosimilar ‘until more studies of the new medicine have been completed’ [2].

Sandoz advances biosimilars pipeline

Sandoz, the generics unit of Swiss pharma giant Novartis, announced on 28 April 2014 that it had reached several important milestones in the development of biosimilar etanercept, filgrastim and pegfilgrastim.

Biosimilar trastuzumab candidates in phase III development

The introduction of Herceptin (trastuzumab) revolutionalized the treatment of breast cancer. Prior to its introduction there were few treatment options available to women with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer.

Biosimilar merger for Epirus and collaboration for Catalent

Mergers and collaborations are still in vogue in the biosimilars arena. The latest firms to announce deals are Epirus Biopharmaceuticals (Epirus), which will merge with Zalicus; and Catalent, which has agreed to a biosimilar development collaboration with Zhejiang Hisun Pharma.

Biosimilar G-CSF safe for mobilization of stem cells

A study into the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) biosimilars for peripheral blood haematopoietic stem cell (PBSC) mobilization has found them to be equivalent to the reference G-CSF [1].

Lupin and Yoshindo start biosimilars joint venture

Indian generics’ manufacturer Lupin Pharmaceuticals (Lupin) announced on 21 April 2014 that the company had entered into a joint venture with Japanese generics maker Yoshindo for a biosimilars joint venture in Japan.

Rituximab ‘similar biologic’ shows equivalent efficacy and safety

A retrospective analysis of cancer patients who received either originator or ‘similar biologic’ rituximab chemotherapy showed comparable efficacy and safety [1].

Biosimilars approved in New Zealand

Last update: 2 May 2014

In New Zealand, the regulatory body for the approval of medicines, including biosimilars, is the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe).

Challenges for the regulation of biosimilars

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) was the first agency to issue guidelines for the approval of biosimilars via an abbreviated registration process back in 2006. Since then the agency has developed many general and specific guidelines for biosimilars, as well as approved 18 biosimilars to date [1]. Tsiftsoglou and co-authors, however, believe that many challenges still lie ahead for this class of biologicals, some of which are discussed here [2].

Rituximab non-originator biological approved in Russia

Russian biotechnology company Biocad announced on 17 April 2014 that the Russian Ministry of Health has approved the company’s rituximab non-originator biological, AcellBia (BCD-020). The drug is a non-originator biological of Roche’s rheumatoid arthritis blockbuster MabThera/Rituxan (rituximab).

Brazil’s ANVISA approves Cristália for production of ‘follow-on biological products’

Brazilian drugmaker Cristália has taken a step closer to its goal of producing ‘follow-on biological products’ domestically after receiving clearance from the country’s drug regulator, the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, ANVISA).

Regulatory principles for biosimilar monoclonal antibodies

It is sometimes argued that there is less clinical evidence for biosimilars. However, Tsiftsoglou and co-authors pointed out that European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines for biosimilars are not primarily driven by feasibility considerations or to make it as easy as possible, but to add to the totality of evidence. And it is this that finally drives the regulatory acceptance of a biosimilar [1].

Biosimilars knowledge gap needs addressing

The European Generic medicines Association (EGA) has called upon national authorities and medical societies to actively engage in reducing the knowledge gap about biosimilars.

Long-term safety study of biosimilar anti-TNF initiated

The Polish Society of Gastroenterology is starting an observational trial to study the long-term safety of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antibodies, including biosimilars, in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to ClinicalTrials.gov.

WHO investigates use of a biological qualifier for biosimilars

The World Health Organization is still discussing several different options on how to name biosimilars, according to the recently published executive summary of its 57th Consultation on International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) for Pharmaceutical Substances.