Biosimilars

Secondary patents delay access to biosimilars in the US

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 15/04/2022

Biological drug patents covering new methods of manufacturing and formulation are major contributors to delays in biosimilar market entry in the US, finds a new study published in Nature Biotechnology [1].

FDA approves Kashiv Biosciences’ filgrastim biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 15/04/2022

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a filgrastim biosimilar produced by India-based Kashiv Biosciences. The biosimilar will be marketed under the trade name Releuko (filgrastim-ayow).

British Columbia adds coverage for three new enoxaparin biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 15/04/2022

British Columbia, Canada has added PharmaCare coverage for three new enoxaparin biosimilars, a blood thinner used to prevent and treat blood clots.

Celltrion updates on Remsima and Yuflyma

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/04/2022

South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion announced two new data sets on the subcutaneous formulation Remsima (infliximab) in a number of conditions in March 2022. This followed the February 2022 announcement that the high-concentration version of Celltrion’s autoimmune disease biosimilar Yuflyma (adalimumab) has received approval from the European Commission.

Phase III trial evidence used in approval of ranibizumab biosimilar Byooviz

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 08/04/2022

Byooviz (SB11) is the first ranibizumab biosimilar approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) [1, 2].

Biocomparables approved in Mexico

Biosimilars/General | Posted 08/04/2022

In Mexico, biological products with expired patents are known as biocomparable biotechnology drugs (medicamentos biotecnológicos biocomparables). The regulatory body in charge of approving biocomparables is the Federal Committee for Protection from Sanitary Risks (Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios, COFEPRIS).

Trastuzumab biosimilar Kanjinti remains stable in polyolefin bags and elastomeric devices

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 01/04/2022

A study of the trastuzumab biosimilar ABP 980 (Kanjinti) finds that the compound remains stable in concentrated multi-dose bags and diluted in intravenous (IV) bags and elastomeric devices, providing preparation options to suit different global pharmacy practices.

Henlius makes deal with Getz Pharma for adalimumab copy biological

Biosimilars/News | Posted 01/04/2022

China-based drugmaker Shanghai Henlius Biotech (Henlius) announced on 23 February 2022 that it had entered into a licensing and supply agreement with Pakistan-based Getz Pharma for its adalimumab copy biological, Handa Yuan (汉达远; HLX03).

Consortium of US hospitals to manufacture and sell biosimilar insulin

Biosimilars/General | Posted 01/04/2022

A consortium of large US hospitals, through the non-profit company Civica Rx, are to manufacture and sell biosimilar insulin capped at US$30 per vial.

Are systematic switch studies for biosimilars necessary?

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 25/03/2022

A recently published review [1] questions the need for systematic switch studies to demonstrate the interchangeability of biosimilars, suggesting the studies are becoming obsolete.

Canada approves ranibizumab biosimilar Byooviz

Biosimilars/News | Posted 25/03/2022

The ranibizumab biosimilar Byooviz (SB11), produced by Samsung Bioepis and commercialized by Biogen, received approval from Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, on 8 March 2022. This is the first ranibizumab biosimilar to receive approval in Canada.

FDA accepts application for interchangeability of adalimumab biosimilar Abrilada

Biosimilars/News | Posted 18/03/2022

US-based pharma giant Pfizer announced on 25 February 2022 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted for review the Prior Approval Supplement (PAS) to the Biologics License Application (BLA) for Abrilada (adalimumab-afzb) as an interchangeable biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab).

The CROWN study: real-world comparison between ‘similar biologic’ and originator ranibizumab and bevacizumab

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 18/03/2022

The last decade and a half have witnessed a paradigm shift in the way vascular disorders affecting the retina are treated. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies have become the mainstay of treatment. These monoclonal antibodies are injected in the vitreous cavity. For the treatment to be effective, repeated injections every 4 to 8 weeks over many years need to be given, which proves to be quite expensive.

Will the unclear path of biosimilar interchangeability become clearer?

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 11/03/2022

Biosimilar use has led to increased access to biological treatments for some molecules wherein switching from originator to biosimilar has been one means to exchange products [1, 2]. Another but less applied way to exchange the products is via substitution by a pharmacist, i.e. without informing the prescriber [2]. Substitution of biosimilars is a topic with many contrasting views and has been highly debated [3-12]. More clarity on the matter is needed because health care has reached a point where policy decisions need to be made about whether substitution should become a practice in biosimilar use. Therefore, researchers from Denmark, Sweden and The Netherlands investigated the views of experts from medicines agencies and the pharmaceutical industry on the science underpinning interchangeability of biosimilars [13].

Biosimilars approved in Argentina

Biosimilars/General | Posted 11/03/2022

In Argentina, the regulatory agency in charge of approving biological drugs is the National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Devices (Administración Nacional de Medicamentos, Alimentos y Tecnología Médica, ANMAT).

Generium launches omalizumab (Xolair) non-originator in Russia

Biosimilars/News | Posted 11/03/2022

Moscow’s Generium has launched a non-originator biological of omalizumab (Xolair) on the Russian market, the third of Generium’s products using Selexis’ SUREtechnology Platform to reach the market.

Europe’s IP framework should support earlier authorization of biosimilars, review finds

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 04/03/2022

A review of the European Pharmaceutical Strategy suggests the framework should focus on intellectual property (IP) initiatives that support the earlier authorization of biosimilars.

Key considerations when switching to biosimilar insulin

Biosimilars/General | Posted 04/03/2022

Biosimilar insulins can offer a cheaper alternative to originator insulators and substantial savings for healthcare systems. A recent ‘Quick guide: Initiating or switching to a biosimilar insulin’, [1] published in the Journal of Diabetes Nursing, outlines key aspects to consider when switching.

Biosimilars and non-medical switching among Saudi rheumatologists. The knowledge gap

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 25/02/2022

The increasing cost of originator biologicals, combined with consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, have burdened the healthcare system. Unfortunately, the biosimilar uptake in Saudi Arabia has not reached an optimal level despite the approval of several agents. Therefore, physicians are essential stakeholders in the process and acceptance of biosimilars.

Nova Scotia, Canada implements biosimilar switching policy

Biosimilars/General | Posted 25/02/2022

Nova Scotia becomes the fifth Canadian province to implement a biosimilar switching policy, meaning that half of Canada’s provinces have now implemented such policies.