Biosimilars

STC Biologics receives US$2.5 million for biosimilar mAb development

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/10/2012

US-based biotechnology company STC Biologics announced on 10 October 2012 that it had entered into a US$2.5 million phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to develop a STC101, a biosimilar monoclonal antibody (mAb), for the treatment of cancer.

Samsung halts biosimilar rituximab development

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/10/2012

South Korean electronics giant Samsung has halted clinical development for the biosimilar version (SAIT101) of Roche’s Rituxan/MabThera (rituximab).

Pfizer carrying out biosimilar trastuzumab trial in US

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 19/10/2012

Pharma giant Pfizer is carrying out a phase I trial in the US for a biosimilar version of trastuzumab.

Biosimilars applications under review by EMA

Biosimilars/General | Posted 19/10/2012

Last update: 11 January 2013

EMA is the body responsible for approval of biosimilars within the 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’.

Medicago and Cellectis in successful biosimilars research collaboration

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/10/2012

Canadian biopharmaceutical company Medicago and Cellectis plant sciences, a subsidiary of Cellectis SA, French genome engineering specialist, announced on 4 October 2012 the successful completion of the first step in their research collaboration to improve therapeutic proteins produced in tobacco plants.

Overview of research on biosimilarity/comparability and interchangeability of biosimilars 2012

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 12/10/2012

Period: January to August 2012

After the patent on a biological medicine expires ‘similar’ versions of the originator biological can be produced. These biosimilars or ‘similar biological medicinal products’ are similar (but not identical) in terms of quality, safety and efficacy to an authorised reference biological medicine.

Teva halts phase III biosimilar rituximab trial

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/10/2012

Israeli generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) has suspended its phase III trial of its biosimilar version (TL011) of Roche’s Rituxan/MabThera (rituximab).

Boehringer Ingelheim completes biosimilar adalimumab trial

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 12/10/2012

Biopharmaceutical specialist Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals (Boehringer Ingelheim) has completed its phase I trial for a biosimilar version of adalimumab.

EMA publishes revised biosimilar Q&A document for patients

Biosimilars/General | Posted 05/10/2012

On 27 September 2012 EMA published its revised Questions and Answers (Q&A) document on biosimilar medicines aimed at patients and the general public.

Overview of research on safety and immunogenicity of biosimilars in 2012

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 05/10/2012

Period: January to August 2012

Biosimilars or ‘biosimilar medicinal products’ are medicinal products that are similar (but not identical) in terms of quality, safety and efficacy to an authorised biological reference medicine. Manufacturing of biologicals is complex, and the quality of the resulting biological is dependent on careful control of manufacturing processes and conditions. Unlike traditional small molecule (chemical) drugs, the development of biologicals is different and variable with respect to the manufacturing process and environmental factors, such as light and temperature. The complexity and heterogeneity of the molecular structure, complicated manufacturing processes, different analytical methods and possibility of immunogenicity reactions make quantitative evaluation of biosimilars a challenge to both the scientific community and regulatory agencies.