Biosimilars

EC approves adalimumab biosimilar Yuflyma

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/03/2021

On 15 February 2021, South Korea-based biotechnology company Celltrion Healthcare (Celltrion) announced that its adalimumab biosimilar, Yuflyma (CT P17), had received European Commission (EC) approval.

Approaches to naming and labelling of biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 12/03/2021

Naming and labelling of biosimilars has been a controversial issue and there is a long-standing debate regarding the naming of biologicals.

EMA recommends approval of four bevacizumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/03/2021

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 29 January 2021 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the bevacizumab biosimilars Alymsys and Oyavas. Then on 26 February 2021, the agency announced that it had recommended approval of the bevacizumab biosimilars Abevmy and Lextemy.

China accepts IND application for daratumumab copy biological HLX15

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/03/2021

China-based drugmaker Shanghai Henlius Biotech (Henlius) announced on 13 January 2021 that the investigational new drug (IND) application for its daratumumab copy biological, HLX15, had been accepted by China’s drug regulator, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), allowing it to carry out clinical trials in the country.

Infliximab biosimilars for IBD patients: experience from Italy

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 12/03/2021

In the last 20 years, biological drugs have become the mainstream therapy for patients affected by moderately-to-severely active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), even though they are associated with a significant increase in health-related costs. After the expiry of patents on originator drugs, the advent of antitumour necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α) biosimilars resulted in considerable cost-savings and increased patients’ access to these drugs. After having completed registration trials in rheumatic diseases [1, 2], the infliximab biosimilar CT P13 obtained approval based on a comprehensive comparability exercise, for all other indications, including IBD. Accordingly, physicians started to increasingly prescribe biosimilars for patients with IBD – including those that were both anti-TNF-α naïve and experienced. There is growing evidence that early introduction of biological therapy in IBD is associated with more favourable outcomes in the medium to long term. Keeping that in mind, it follows that the advent of biosimilars has the potential to allow more patients to have access to biological therapy at an earlier stage of disease, which could contribute to prevent disease progression and damage accumulation, with a consequential improvement in patients’ quality of life.

Different approaches to the interchangeability of biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 05/03/2021

The interchangeability of biosimilars can sometimes be an emotive subject. Despite reservations by prescribers, payers and patients, many countries have implemented policies allowing for the substitution of biologicals with biosimilars. However, there is still a lack of harmonization around the world when it comes to how different countries or regions approach the interchangeability of biosimilars [1].

Latest launches for adalimumab biosimilars in Canada and Japan

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/03/2021

There has been a lot of news recently when it comes to adalimumab biosimilars. Sandoz, Fresenius Kabi, Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics/Mylan and Viatris have all announced launches of adalimumab biosimilars.

Biosimilar patent litigation trends in the US

Biosimilars/General | Posted 05/03/2021

According to authors from Law360 the trend in biosimilar patent litigation cases has been downward, with many cases being resolved and only five cases still pending as of 31 December 2020 [1].

Efficacy and safety of interferon beta-1a (ReciGen) in COVID-19

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 05/03/2021

Since COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, emerged as a worldwide concern and was declared a pandemic, finding a safe and effective treatment for this disease has been a top priority. Different treatment candidates, including interferon [1], remdesevir [2], tocilizumab [3], and dexamethasone [4] have been investigated in multiple clinical trials.

Collaboration between regulatory authorities for biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 26/02/2021

A survey carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019‒2020 highlighted the need for collaboration between regulatory authorities in order to expediate the approval of biosimilars [1].