Biosimilars

Alvotech and Finesse enter into biosimilars collaboration

Biosimilars/News | Posted 04/04/2014

Iceland-based biopharmaceutical company Alvotech and US-based bio-process management company Finesse Solutions (Finesse) announced on 14 March 2014 that they had entered into a partnership for bio-manufacturing.

Biosimilar filgrastim gains Japanese approval

Biosimilars/News | Posted 28/03/2014

Sandoz (the generics unit of Novartis) announced on 24 March 2014 that its subsidiary Sandoz Japan had received marketing authorization approval for its biosimilar filgrastim (Filgrastim BS Sandoz).

Are biosimilars worth it?

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/03/2014

Will off-patent biological medicines offer the same cost savings as those seen with off-patent non-biological (chemically derived) medicines? A group of health economists based in Brussels, Belgium, have begun to address the question in light of increasing numbers of biological medicines going off patent and the new phenomenon of biosimilar competition [1].

GPhA proposes using manufacturer names to distinguish biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 21/03/2014

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) has proposed a compromise naming scheme for biosimilars that it hopes will end the dispute over how to assign international non-proprietary names (INNs) to biosimilars in the US.

Long-acting G-CSF lipegfilgrastim launched in UK

Biosimilars/News | Posted 21/03/2014

Teva UK, a subsidiary of generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) announced on 24 February 2014 the launch of its long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G‑CSF) Lonquex (lipegfilgrastim) in the UK.

How safe is Zarzio after five years’ clinical experience?

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 14/03/2014

The first filgrastim biosimilar was approved in Europe in 2008, prompting Dr Pere Gascón and co-authors to review the evidence relating to the efficacy and safety of biosimilar Zarzio (filgrastim) and Filgrastim Hexal (filgrastim) since that time. The authors report a pooled analysis of post-approval studies of Zarzio (Sandoz) used for the prevention of neutropenia in patients with cancer who are undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy [1].

Amgen starts another phase III trial for biosimilar adalimumab

Biosimilars/News | Posted 14/03/2014

US biotechnology giant Amgen has started recruiting for a phase III clinical trial of its biosimilar adalimumab in patients suffering from plaque psoriasis, according to the US clinical trials website, Clinicaltrials.gov.

Biosimilars approved in South Korea

Biosimilars/General | Posted 14/03/2014

Last update: 26 March 2021

In South Korea, the regulatory body for the approval of medicines, including biologicals and biosimilars, is the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), formerly the Korean Food and Drug Administration.

Protein aggregation and the generation of immune responses

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 14/03/2014

During a presentation given by Ms Melody Sauerborn (TNO Triskelion, The Netherlands) at an international conference on biowaivers and biosimilars, held in the US in September 2012, the immunological aspects of formation of anti-drug antibodies against aggregated protein drugs were discussed [1].

Biosimilar epoetin-κ equivalent to epoetin-β

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 07/03/2014

In 1989, the first recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) preparation, epoetin-α, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of anaemia associated with kidney disease. Since then, several clinically approved rEPO preparations, such as epoetin-β, epoetin-δ and the epoetin-α derivative, darbepoietin-α, have been commercially produced. Since the expiration of patent protection, a number of biosimilars have also been approved on the world market.

Biosimilars approved in Japan

Biosimilars/General | Posted 07/03/2014

Last update: 24 October 2023

In Japan, the regulatory body for the approval of medicines, including biologicals, is the Ministry for Health Labour and Welfare (MHLW).

Kissei makes biosimilars deal with Alteogen

Biosimilars/News | Posted 07/03/2014

Japan-based Kissei Pharmaceutical (Kissei) announced on 13 February 2014 that the company had entered into a collaboration agreement with South Korean biologicals company Alteogen.

EU majority says same INNs for biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 28/02/2014

According to recently published summary minutes from an October 2013 meeting of the European Commission’s Pharmaceutical Committee, the majority of EU Member States agree that biosimilars should have the same international non-proprietary name (INN) as their reference biological.

Inflammatory arthritis: auditioning for the role of biosimilar

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 28/02/2014

Targeted biological therapies have proven themselves highly effective in the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases, but their benefits are restricted by cost. Biosimilars of these therapies would offer affordable alternatives, but establishing biosimilarity presents many challenges, write Professors Jonathan Kay and Josef Smolen [1].

Biocon and Mylan challenge Indian ban on trastuzumab ‘similar biologics’

Biosimilars/News | Posted 28/02/2014

India-based biologicals specialist Biocon and US generics maker Mylan have challenged the Delhi High Court’s interim order that barred them from using Switzerland-based drug giant Roche’s data to sell their ‘similar biologic’ versions of Roche’s breast cancer blockbuster Herceptin (trastuzumab).

Merck and Samsung Bioepis collaborate on biosimilar insulin

Biosimilars/News | Posted 28/02/2014

US pharma giant Merck and Korean electronics giant Samsung’s specialized biologicals unit, Samsung Bioepis, announced on 10 February 2014 that they had expanded their collaboration with an agreement to develop, manufacture and commercialize MK-1293, a biosimilar insulin glargine candidate for the treatment of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Alvogen launches infliximab biosimilar in Europe

Biosimilars/News | Posted 21/02/2014

US generics company Alvogen announced on 13 February 2014 that it had launched the infliximab biosimilar Inflectra in Central and Eastern Europe in collaboration with Hospira.

Guiding principles for biosimilars development

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/02/2014

In contrast to chemically synthesized small-molecule drugs, biologicals have complex structures of high molecular weight. Therefore, even small changes in the production processes may lead to differences in the final product. The manufacturers of the originator product are not required to disclose their manufacturing process after the patent expiry. This gap in knowledge increases the probability of introducing changes in the manufacturing process of biosimilars, making producing an identical copy of a biological virtually impossible. Indeed, even different batches of the same originator biological may show a certain level of heterogeneity.

Biosimilars approved in Australia

Biosimilars/General | Posted 21/02/2014

Last update: 6 May 2025

In Australia, the legal framework for approving medicines was established via the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.

Use of formularies could increase use of biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 14/02/2014

Whether or not the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits automatic substitution of biosimilars, healthcare systems can still consider using formularies as a way to increase the use of more affordable biosimilars [1].