Biosimilars

Pegfilgrastim biosimilar Fulphila launched in Canada

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/05/2020

US-based drugmaker Mylan and partner, India-based biologicals specialist Biocon, announced on 28 April 2020 the launch of their pegfilgrastim biosimilar, Fulphila, in Canada. This is the second biosimilar from the pair to be launched in the country.

How to make biological drugs more affordable

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 08/05/2020

Biological drugs remain unaffordable for many in the US due to strategies used by pharmaceutical companies and negative messaging about biosimilars, explains a recent commentary by Dr Joel Lexchin, School of Health Policy and Management at York University, Canada [1].

Online education for diabetes specialists on biosimilar insulins

Biosimilars/General | Posted 08/05/2020

An online educational course has been published by Medscape in collaboration with the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialist.

Celltrion files application with EMA for adalimumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/05/2020

Celltrion has submitted an application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its adalimumab biosimilar, currently known as CT-P17.

Non-innovator biologicals in India: regulatory context and areas for improvement

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 04/05/2020

There are major regulatory lapses in the manufacturing of similar biologics in India. The use of scientific audits could strengthen the regulatory system and improve the provision of high quality biosimilars in the country, according to a recent opinion piece [1] by Dr GR Soni, which was published in GaBI Journal.

Biocon/Mylan launch pegfilgrastim biosimilar Fulphila in Australia

Biosimilars/News | Posted 04/05/2020

US-based drugmaker Mylan and partner India-based biologicals specialist Biocon have announced the launch of their pegfilgrastim biosimilar, Fulphila, in Australia. The drug can be used to treat neutropenia (a lack of white blood cells) in cancer patients.

New information on biosimilars from Australia and the US

Biosimilars/General | Posted 04/05/2020

The Generic Biosimilar Medicines Association and the Biologics Prescriber Collaborative have released new information on biosimilars, aimed at physicians and the public, respectively.

Clinical trials for adalimumab biosimilar SB5

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 04/05/2020

The clinical trials used to support the approval of Samsung Bioepis/Merck’s adalimumab biosimilar SB5 (Imraldi/Hadlima), were critically reviewed by authors from Argentina and the UK, with a special focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) [1].

Merck launches trastuzumab biosimilar in the US

Biosimilars/News | Posted 24/04/2020

US pharma giant Merck (known as MSD outside the US and Canada) and Korea-based Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) announced in on 15 April 2020 that they had launched their trastuzumab biosimilar, Ontruzant, in the US.

Assessment of biosimilarity for monoclonal antibodies

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 24/04/2020

How therapeutic monoclonal antibody biosimilars are assessed for biosimilarity, was discussed by authors from the National Institute of Health Sciences and the Yokohama University of Pharmacy in Japan. Their review covers the basic concept of biosimilar development as well as pharmacokinetic data obtained via non-clinical and clinical studies of biosimilar therapeutic antibodies [1].

FDA releases new information on interchangeable biologicals

Biosimilars/General | Posted 24/04/2020

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released new information on its website, clarifying the difference between biosimilars and interchangeable biologicals and says it will make more treatment options available to more people.

EC approval for rituximab biosimilar Ruxience

Biosimilars/News | Posted 24/04/2020

On 2 April 2020, pharma giant Pfizer announced that its rituximab biosimilar, Ruxience (PF‑05280586), had received European Commission (EC) approval.

Amgevita approved in Colombia

Biosimilars/News | Posted 17/04/2020

Colombia’s National Institute of Food and Drug Monitoring (INVIMA – Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos y Alimentos) has approved the first adalimumab producto bioterapéutico similar (similar biotherapeutic product).

Biosimilars highlights: 2019

Biosimilars/General | Posted 17/04/2020

There were many biosimilars approved in 2019, as well as new clinical trials, research into issues surrounding biosimilar use, and significant regulatory changes [1], as summarized below.

Mabion withdraws application for rituximab biosimilar in EU

Biosimilars/News | Posted 17/04/2020

Polish biologicals company Mabion Spolka Akcyjna (Mabion) has withdrawn its duplicate applications for its rituximab biosimilar, MabionCD20.

British Columbia releases latest data on biosimilar switches

Biosimilars/General | Posted 17/04/2020

The latest data on biosimilar switching in British Columbia, Canada shows that 28% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have switched to a biosimilar version of their medication.

Clinical trials for adalimumab biosimilar BI 695501

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 17/04/2020

The clinical trials, especially those in rheumatoid arthritis, used to support the approval of Boehringer Ingelheim’s BI 695501 (Cyltezo), were critically reviewed by authors from Argentina and the UK [1].

Clinical trials for adalimumab biosimilar ABP 501

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 10/04/2020

The clinical trials used to support the approval of Amgen’s ABP 501 (Amjevita/Amgevita/
Solymbic) were critically reviewed by authors from Argentina and the UK [1].

Non-originator biologicals approved in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Biosimilars/News | Posted 10/04/2020

Russian biotechnology company Biocad announced on 30 March 2020 that it had received approval for two of its anticancer non-originator biologicals in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Biocure developing five candidate biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 10/04/2020

South Korea’s pharmaceutical industry has fast been expanding as a world player. According to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, the Korean pharmaceutical industry in 2018 represented 1.8% of the world market, i.e. the 13th largest in the world.

Positive phase III results for Hisun’s adalimumab copy biological

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 10/04/2020

Positive results were reported from a phase III trial of an adalimumab copy biological, HS016, which compared the candidate adalimumab copy biological HS016 with originator adalimumab Humira for the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) [1].

Biosimilars and the safe harbor provision

Biosimilars/General | Posted 10/04/2020

In the US, the safe harbor provision exempts drug development and approval from patent infringement provisions, and courts have interpreted the safe harbor to apply broadly to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated and approved products, including biologicals. However, courts have continued to struggle with the application of the safe harbor to different types of FDA submissions as the regulatory process has become more complex – and largely have continued to expand its scope.

EMA recommends approval of etanercept biosimilar Nepexto

Biosimilars/News | Posted 03/04/2020

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 27 March 2020 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for a biosimilar etanercept product.

Access to biosimilars in China, the EU and the US

Biosimilars/General | Posted 03/04/2020

Access to more affordable treatments is the main driver for the approval of biosimilars. But how does this accessibility vary between Europe, the US and China?

Clinical trials supporting the approval of adalimumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/04/2020

Authors from Argentina and the UK critically review the evidence from trials of biosimilars in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) [1].

The Patients Association publishes new advice on switching to biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 03/04/2020

Patient advocacy group in the UK, The Patients Association, has published new information and an animated video about switching to biosimilars.

Use of anti-TNF biosimilars in the US

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/04/2020

Uptake of biosimilars in the US is slow to say the least. In fact, biosimilars currently make up only 2.3% of the US biologicals marketplace [1]. Researchers from the US therefore investigated whether anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) biosimilars are realizing their promise to increase competition and improve accessibility in the US [2].

Cost savings from the use of biosimilars in Canada

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 27/03/2020

Analysis of the potential cost savings from the use of three biosimilars (filgrastim, infliximab and insulin glargine) in Canada shows that over CA$1 billion could have been saved in just a two-year period [1].

Denosumab copy biological clinical trial application accepted in China

Biosimilars/News | Posted 27/03/2020

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), has accepted a clinical trial application of denosumab copy biological HLX14.

Celltrion/Teva launch trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma in US

Biosimilars/News | Posted 27/03/2020

Celltrion and Teva announced in March 2020 that they have launched their trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma (trastuzumab-pkrb) in the US. Herzuma can be used to treat breast and gastric cancer and has recently been approved in Canada [1].

Clover starts phase III trial for etanercept copy biological in China

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 27/03/2020

At the end of December 2019, Clover Biopharmaceuticals (Clover), a Chinese company focused on biological therapies, announced the start of a phase III trial of their etanercept copy biological (SCB-808), a proposed copy biological to originator biological Enbrel (etanercept).

US oncologist says Medicare should not practice medicine

Biosimilars/General | Posted 27/03/2020

Clinical oncologist, Dr Debra Patt, who serves on the US Oncology Research Breast Cancer Committee and chairs the breast cancer subsection of the pathways task force for The US Oncology Network, expresses her opinion on a new policy introduced by Medicare, which she believes is ‘having a negative impact on a patient’s outcome’.

Positive phase I results for Qilu’s bevacizumab copy biological

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 20/03/2020

Positive results were reported from a phase I trial of a bevacizumab copy biological, QL1101, which the authors say is ‘the first study to compare the pharmacokinetics of QL1101, a proposed bevacizumab [copy biological], with Avastin’ [1].

Celltrion launches infliximab biosimilar Remsima SC in Europe

Biosimilars/News | Posted 20/03/2020

In a successful time for Celltrion Healthcare (Celltrion), the company has launched their infliximab biosimilar Remsima in Germany and the UK.

PK and PD similarity between pegfilgrastim biosimilar and Neulasta

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 20/03/2020

Hexal AG has published phase I results for its approved pegfilgrastim biosimilar [1-3].

FDA and FTC collaborate to deter anti-competitive behaviour for biologicals

Biosimilars/General | Posted 20/03/2020

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on 3 February 2020 that they would enhance their collaboration when it comes to anti-competitive behaviour in the biologicals’ marketplace.

Arguments against Alberta’s plans to switch patients to biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 13/03/2020

In May 2019, the Canadian province of British Columbia introduced a policy of switching rheumatology patients to biosimilars [1]. Now, the province of Alberta is also considering plans to stop coverage of originator biologicals and switch patients to biosimilars for certain indications. The new policy, if introduced, will apply to the approximately 30,000 patients in Alberta living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [2].

Amgen starts phase III trial for aflibercept biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 13/03/2020

US-based biotech giant Amgen is initiating a phase III clinical trial for a biosimilar of Regeneron’s Eylea (aflibercept).

FDA publishes historic drug approvals and searchable Purple Book

Biosimilars/General | Posted 13/03/2020

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a dataset of drug approvals dating back to 1985 and an online, searchable version of the Purple Book of licensed biologicals.

Tackling the challenge of safe automatic substitution of biologicals

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 13/03/2020

The costs of biologicals are challenging the sustainability of pharmacotherapy. Affordable biosimilars are expected to trigger competition within the biologicals market. Increasing real-world experience on biosimilars and clinical switching studies have led to position papers supporting the interchangeability of biosimilars with their reference products under the supervision of the prescriber [1]. However, the uptake of biosimilars has been poor in Finland, since physicians have been reluctant to prescribe biosimilars, especially in the outpatient setting. One option to stimulate the uptake of biosimilars is the automatic substitution of biologicals at the pharmacy level.