Biosimilars

Biosimilar infliximab reduces medication costs by two thirds in Finland

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 31/07/2020

A study of 54 people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Finland showed that switching to biosimilar infliximab has no significant impact on health-related quality of life or disease activity, while reducing costs by two thirds [1].

Trastuzumab biosimilar Kanjinti is stable over extended storage periods

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 24/07/2020

An investigation of the quality and in-use stability of diluted trastuzumab biosimilar Kanjinti (also known as ABP 980) versus the reference trastuzumab demonstrated no clinically meaningful differences in stability and activity over extended storage periods, according to Crampton et al. [1].

EMA approves bevacizumab and teriparatide biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 24/07/2020

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 26 June 2020 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the bevacizumab biosimilar Aybintio and for the teriparatide biosimilars Livogiva and Qutavina.

FDA approves pegfilgrastim biosimilar Nyvepria

Biosimilars/News | Posted 24/07/2020

Pharma giant Pfizer announced on 11 June 2020 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its pegfilgrastim biosimilar Nyvepria (HSP-130).

Biosimilar pipelines for Korean firms looking healthy

Biosimilars/General | Posted 24/07/2020

Korean companies are becoming more and important both in the country but also worldwide when it comes to developing biosimilars.

FDA approves Mylan’s adalimumab biosimilar Hulio

Biosimilars/News | Posted 17/07/2020

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Mylan/Fujifilm’s adalimumab biosimilar Hulio (adalimumab-fkjp) on 7 July 2020. The product is the sixth adalimumab biosimilar to be approved by FDA and is manufactured by Japan-based Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics.

Quotas improve biosimilar use in Germany

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 17/07/2020

An assessment of the role of cost control measures on biological drugs in Germany finds that quotas for biosimilars are in some cases associated with increased use and are overall more effective than priority prescribing [1].

New Zealand IBD charity releases position statement on biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 17/07/2020

The charity Crohn’s and Colitis New Zealand has released a position statement on biosimilars, although there are not yet any biosimilars for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on the market in New Zealand.

Celltrion launches Truxima in Brazil

Biosimilars/News | Posted 17/07/2020

On 27 May 2020, South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion Healthcare (Celltrion) announced that it had launched its rituximab similar biotherapeutic product Truxima (CT‑P10) in Brazil.

Biosimilars applications under review by EMA – July 2020

Biosimilars/General | Posted 10/07/2020

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is the body responsible for approval of biosimilars within the European Union (EU). A legal framework for approving biosimilars was established in 2003. Approval of biosimilars is based on an abbreviated registration process, which allows biosimilars manufacturers to provide a reduced package of information compared to originator drugs, provided they can prove ‘similarity’ to the originator or reference drug.

Canada approves infliximab and filgrastim biosimilars Avsola and Nivestym

Biosimilars/News | Posted 10/07/2020

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the infliximab and filgrastim biosimilars Avsola (ABP 710) and Nivestym.

Denmark achieves 83% reduction in adalimumab costs through switching

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 10/07/2020

Spending on adalimumab in Denmark decreased by almost 83% between September and December 2018, thanks to a mandatory switching policy.

Revance and Mylan move forward with Botox biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 10/07/2020

US firm Revance Therapeutics (Revance) announced on 1 June 2020 that its partner, US-based drugmaker Mylan, had decided to move forward with a development plan, under a 351(k) pathway, for a proposed biosimilar to Allergan’s cosmetic blockbuster Botox and Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA).

Japanese approval for first adalimumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 03/07/2020

Japan-based Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics announced on 29 June 2020 that it had received approval from Japan’s medicines regulatory agency, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), for its adalimumab biosimilar FKB327 in Japan.

Biosimilars in Belgium: increasing competition

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/07/2020

Competition following the entry of biosimilars is still limited in Belgium, which is mirrored in low biosimilar market shares. Although (short-term) cost savings are realized by the implementation of mandatory price reductions on originator medicines (and obtaining high biosimilar market shares should thus not be a goal in itself), biosimilars can play a key role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Belgian off-patent biologicals market.

Positive phase I results for Innovent’s ipilimumab copy biological

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/07/2020

China-based Innovent Biologics (Innovent) announced on 3 June 2020 positive phase I results for its candidate ipilimumab copy biological, IBI310.

EC approval for etanercept biosimilar Nepexto

Biosimilars/News | Posted 03/07/2020

The European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for the etanercept biosimilar Nepexto (YLB113), developed by US-based drugmaker Mylan and its partner India-based generics maker Lupin.

China approves bevacizumab copy biological Byvasda

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/06/2020

China-based drugmaker Innovent Biologics (Innovent) announced on 19 June 2020 that China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), had approved Byvasda (IBI-305), a bevacizumab copy biological.

Successfully transitioning patients with IBD to biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 26/06/2020

Pharmacists and physicians from the Boston Medical Center describe the successful transition of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using the originator infliximab biological, Remicade, to the infliximab biosimilar, Inflectra (infliximab-dyyb) [1].

Canada approves pegfilgrastim biosimilar Ziextenzo

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/06/2020

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the pegfilgrastim biosimilar Ziextenzo (LA-EP2006). The drug can be used to treat neutropenia (a lack of white blood cells) in cancer patients.