Biosimilars

Prices for arthritis biologicals in Latin America

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/06/2021

Analysis of the prices of biological and biosimilar drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis suggests these drugs are more accessible in Spain than in Latin America, but least affordable in the US [1].

FDA accepts application for Lupin’s pegfilgrastim biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 21/06/2021

India-based generics manufacturer Lupin Pharmaceuticals (Lupin) announced on 2 June 2021 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted the application for approval for its proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar.

New data on adalimumab biosimilars from Samsung Bioepis and Boehringer Ingelheim

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/06/2021

Recently published data show that switching to Samsung Bioepis adalimumab
biosimilar Imraldi is safe and effective, while data from Boehringer Ingelheim suggest their adalimumab biosimilar, Cyltezo, could be classed as interchangeable.

The role of the patient in treatments with biosimilars in Argentina

Biosimilars/General | Posted 21/06/2021

This is how Dr Eduardo Mysler, Medical Director for the Research Medical Organization (OMI) and rheumatology specialist with a long research career reflects that ‘patients have to understand all the details of their disease’.

Trastuzumab emtansine ‘similar biologic’ Ujvira launched in India

Biosimilars/News | Posted 11/06/2021

India-based generics manufacturer Zydus Cadila (Zydus) announced on 24 May 2021 the launch of its trastuzumab emtansine ‘similar biologic’ Ujvira in India. The launch, according to Zydus ‘marks the world’s first biosimilar antibody drug conjugate (ADC) of trastuzumab emtansine’.

Positive phase III results for tocilizumab biosimilar BAT1806

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 11/06/2021

US biotechnology company Biogen Idec (Biogen) and China-based Bio-Thera announced on 1 June 2021 positive phase III data for their tocilizumab biosimilar, BAT1806. According to the two companies, ‘the comparative study met its primary endpoints and showed equivalent efficacy and comparable safety profile in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis’.

US Supreme Court rejects Enbrel patent challenge from Sandoz

Biosimilars/General | Posted 11/06/2021

The US Supreme Court has declined to review a patent challenge from Sandoz on Amgen’s blockbuster anti-inflammatory, Enbrel (etanercept). This means Sandoz will not be able to launch its etanercept biosimilar, Erelzi (etanercept-szzs), on the US market until 2029.

Efficacy and safety of Yuflyma vs reference adalimumab in rheumatoid arthritis

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 11/06/2021

Yuflyma (CT-P17) is an adalimumab biosimilar, administered at 100 mg/mL that also has the same citrate-free and high concentration formulation of reference adalimumab. To demonstrate the bioequivalence of CT P17 to reference adalimumab, a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study in subjects with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was conducted [1]. The study was designed to demonstrate equivalence of efficacy (ACR20* response rate at Week 24) for CT P17 versus reference adalimumab and to evaluate additional efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK), usability and safety over one year.

Positive phase I results for Meiji’s ustekinumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 04/06/2021

Japan-based Meiji Seika Pharma (Meiji) announced on 21 May 2021 positive phase I results for its candidate ustekinumab biosimilar, DMB-3115.

Clinical trials for aflibercept biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 04/06/2021

Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, has announced the start of a phase III clinical trial of its aflibercept (Eylea) biosimilar, a treatment for age-related macular degeneration. Clinical trials for a number of competitive biosimilars are also underway.