Biosimilars

Physician perceptions of generics substitution

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 27/01/2012

How do physicians perceive generics substitution? Many patients do not communicate with their physicians regarding out-of-pocket expenses or medication choices. Therefore, understanding physicians’ perceptions about the quality and efficacy of generics could help to identify potential barriers to increasing the use of generic drugs [1].

Roche encounters manufacturing issues with epoetin-beta

Biosimilars/News | Posted 27/01/2012

The Spanish regulatory agency has found deviations in the quality of the manufacture of Switzerland-based F. Hoffmann-La Roche’s biological anaemia treatment Mircera (methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta), a long acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agent; and is recommending patients to change to other epoetins.

Relative effectiveness and cost minimisation for biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 20/01/2012

The second of two articles on the use of economic evaluations to guide the use of expensive treatment.

Baxter and Momenta make biosimilars deal

Biosimilars/News | Posted 20/01/2012

Baxter International (Baxter) and Momenta Pharmaceuticals (Momenta) announced on 22 December 2011 that they had entered into a global collaboration agreement to develop and commercialise biosimilars.

Top developments in biosimilars during 2011

Biosimilars/General | Posted 13/01/2012

Over the past year, a lot has happened in the biosimilars industry.

Amgen finally jumps on biosimilars bandwagon

Biosimilars/News | Posted 13/01/2012

Biotech giant Amgen and US generics manufacturer Watson Pharmaceuticals (Watson) announced on 19 December 2011 that the two companies had agreed to collaborate on the development and commercialisation of several cancer antibody biosimilars.

Hospira starts phase III programme for biosimilar erythropoietin

Biosimilars/News | Posted 13/01/2012

Hospira, self-proclaimed leader in injectable generics, announced on 9 January 2012 that the company had enrolled the first patient in its phase III programme in the US for its biosimilar erythropoietin (EPO).

India at the biotech crossroads

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 13/01/2012

‘Indian biotech is at a crossroads. It must not only address the significant health needs of its domestic population, but also position itself to take advantage of the often more profitable global marketplace.’ [1]

First biosimilar G-CSF in Japan

Biosimilars/News | Posted 13/01/2012

Mochida Pharmaceuticals (Mochida) and development partner Fuji Pharma announced on 26 December 2011 that they had filed respective applications for the first biosimilar granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in Japan.

The cost-effectiveness of biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 16/12/2011

The biotechnology market is growing rapidly, driven by the imminent patent expiry of several major biologicals and enabled by the establishment of regulatory frameworks. The key driver for the biosimilars market is likely to be cost containment pressures in healthcare systems in the context of aging populations and of the current financial and economic crisis [1]. Because the medicines involved are so expensive, even a modest price reduction in percentage terms generates savings in the billions of euros over the EU as a whole [2].