Biosimilars

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].

Biosimilar approvals and launches in the US

Biosimilars/General | Posted 26/02/2021

An examination of biosimilar approvals by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compared to launches was carried out by authors from Law360 [1].

FDA accepts application for bevacizumab biosimilar BAT1706

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/02/2021

China-based Bio-Thera Pharmaceuticals (Bio-Thera) announced on 28 January 2021 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted the Biologics License Application (BLA) for its proposed bevacizumab biosimilar, BAT1706.

Improving biosimilar use in clinical practice

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 26/02/2021

Uncertainty about biosimilars and lack of motivation among healthcare providers and patients to use them may have been curbing biosimilar use. Guidance on how to implement biosimilars in clinical practice and how to incentivize stakeholders to use biosimilars may help to realize the benefits offered by biosimilars for healthcare systems and patients.

Canada approves infliximab biosimilar Remsima SC

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/02/2021

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the infliximab biosimilar Remsima SC for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Improving stakeholder understanding about biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 19/02/2021

The arrival of biosimilars provides benefits for healthcare systems and patients by lowering treatment costs and improving patient access to biologicals. Despite these benefits and demonstrated comparability with the reference biological, the use of biosimilars varies across regions and remains limited in some cases. This may be partially due to a lack of knowledge and understanding among healthcare professionals and patients about biosimilars, limiting their willingness to use them.

Innovent starts phase II trial for ipilimumab copy biological

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/02/2021

China-based Innovent Biologics (Innovent) announced on 11 December 2020 that the first patient had been successfully enrolled and dosed in the randomized, double-blind, phase II multicentre clinical trial (NCT04590599) evaluating its ipilimumab copy biological (IBI310) in combination with TYVYT (sintilimab) for the treatment of patients with second-line or above advanced cervical cancer.

Biosimilar approvals and patent litigation in the US

Biosimilars/General | Posted 19/02/2021

Authors from Law360 have examined biosimilar approvals by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCI Act) and ensuing patent litigation actions. They also discuss why the lack of new approvals and litigation in 2020 does not suggest reduced interest in biosimilars but signals a new wave of biosimilars on the horizon [1].

Interchangeability, naming and pharmacovigilance of biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 12/02/2021

Results of a survey was carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that challenges still remain when it comes to the regulatory evaluation of biosimilars [1].

EMA recommends approval of adalimumab biosimilar Yuflyma

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/02/2021

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 11 December 2020 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for an adalimumab biosimilar.

Improving the understanding of biosimilars through education

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 12/02/2021

The process of introducing biosimilars into clinical practice is complex and involves many stakeholders. There are different strategies that healthcare systems have adopted to incorporate biosimilars into patient care. Regulators, payers, pharmacists, and physicians need adequate knowledge in order to be effective components of this process. Previous research in the region has shown a high prevalence of lack of understanding and major safety concerns on the use of biosimilars [1].

Canada approves insulin aspart biosimilar Trurapi

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/02/2021

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the insulin aspart biosimilar Trurapi.

Regulatory issues related to quality of biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 05/02/2021

The quality of biosimilars was one of the challenges identified from the results of a survey carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) [1]. The survey, which was carried out in 2019‒2020, revealed that despite the efforts of WHO in helping Member States implement the evaluation principles in the WHO biosimilar guidelines [2] into their regulatory practices, challenges still remain.

China extends indications for adalimumab and bevacizumab copy biologicals

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/02/2021

Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Innovent Biologics (Innovent) announced that China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), has approved new indications for its adalimumab and bevacizumab copy biologicals.

Understanding and minimizing injection-site pain for biologicals

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 05/02/2021

Biologicals have revolutionized treatment across a range of immune and inflammatory-related diseases and have had considerable impact on the health economy. Switching to a biosimilar has proven to be an effective, safe and pharmacoeconomically advantageous strategy for health systems.

Canada approves three teriparatide biosimilars in 2020

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/02/2021

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the enoxaparin sodium biosimilars Apo-teriparatide, Teva-teriparatide and Osnuvo.

Clinical evidence for interchangeability of biosimilars in the US

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 29/01/2021

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a biosimilar is based on the ‘totality of the evidence’ from comparative analytical and functional assessments and comparative clinical (pharmacology, immunogenicity, safety and efficacy) assessments that support a conclusion of biosimilarity [1]. An approved biosimilar can also be designated as ‘interchangeable’ if it can be concluded that the biosimilar is expected to produce the ‘same clinical result as the reference product in any given patient’ and there is no increased risk in terms of safety or diminished efficacy associated with switching or alternating between the biosimilar and reference product (RP) [2]. With such designation, an interchangeable biosimilar could be substituted for its RP at the pharmacy level where state law allows [2].

EMA recommends approval of insulin aspart biosimilar Kixelle

Biosimilars/News | Posted 29/01/2021

FDA approves rituximab biosimilar Riabni

Biosimilars/News | Posted 29/01/2021

US-based biotech giant Amgen announced on 17 December 2020 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its rituximab biosimilar Riabni (ABP 798).

Biosimilars and lack of resources

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 22/01/2021

The results of a survey carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019‒2020 [1] revealed that, despite the efforts of the organization in helping Member States implement the evaluation principles in the WHO biosimilar guidelines [2] into their regulatory practices, challenges still remain. Lack of resources was one of the challenges identified from the results of the survey.