Biosimilars

What does the designation of interchangeability for biosimilars in the US mean?

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 02/09/2022

Biologicals have significantly improved patients’ quality of life, yet, access to these critical medicines are constrained due to cost and this is being exacerbated by the misperceptions around biosimilars. In particular, imprecise terminology has been applied to biosimilars, leading to the implication that biologicals designated as interchangeable by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are better biosimilars. The US is the only jurisdiction in the world with this additional designation from the regulator as an option for biosimilar sponsors to consider [1].

FDA approves first interchangeable ranibizumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/08/2022

Polpharma Biologics, Formycon and Bioeq jointly announced on 2 August 2022 that they had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their ranibizumab biosimilar (CHS-201/FYB201).

Access to biosimilars for cancer treatments in Latin America

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 26/08/2022

In many Latin America countries, patient access to biosimilars for cancer treatment remains restricted. In particular for patients with breast cancer and colorectal cancer, biosimilars can be a step further to increasing access to care [1].

Innovent-Etana bevacizumab biosimilar approved in Indonesia

Biosimilars/News | Posted 29/07/2022

Innovent announced the approval of its bevacizumab biosimilar in Indonesia, that was developed in partnership with PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia.

Ranibizumab biosimilar, FYB201, receives EMA recommendation

Biosimilars/News | Posted 22/07/2022

Formycon’s ranibizumab biosimilar, FYB201, has received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP).

Biosimilar regulations perspective in Latin America to improve cancer treatment access

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 22/07/2022

To address the issue of regulatory process of biosimilars, including intended copies*, the Americas Health Foundation (AHF) conducted a literature review and convened a panel with eight experts in biological cancer therapies and health economics to address the most salient issues concerning the regulation of biosimilars in Latin America [1].

Pegfilgrastim biosimilar Udenyca demonstrated similar immunogenicity to Neulasta

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 22/07/2022

The pegfilgrastim biosimilar Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) is a pegylated, long-acting form of filgrastim (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF]). It is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as a biosimilar of the originator pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) for febrile neutropenia in patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy [1, 2].

Therapeutic drug monitoring with infliximab improves disease control

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 15/07/2022

The latest study from the Norwegian Drug Monitoring (NORDRUM) trial [1] shows that proactive therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for patients receiving maintenance infliximab therapy improves disease control, compared to treatment without TDM.

New data on infliximab and adalimumab biosimilars at EULAR 2022

Biosimilars/News | Posted 15/07/2022

The Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR 2022) was held at the beginning of June 2022. This platform was used to announce the results of a study that showed that, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, statistically greater improvements in clinical outcomes with subcutaneous infliximab, compared to intravenous infliximab. In addition, Samsung Bioepis announced new data on their established adalimumab biosimilar Imraldi (Hadlima outside Europe).

WHO revised guidelines for biosimilars: scientific background

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 08/07/2022

A study carried out by Kurki P et al. in 2022 reviewed the current clinical experience and scientific evidence to provide an expert perspective for updating the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on evaluation of similar biotherapeutic products (SBPs; also called biosimilars) to increase flexibility and clarity.