Biosimilars

Phase III trial started in China for eculizumab copy biological

Korea-based Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) is starting a phase III clinical trial in China for a copy biological of Soliris (eculizumab), made by Alexion Pharmaceuticals (Alexion).

Achieving fairer prices for generics and biosimilars

Access to safe, effective, quality assured, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all has been identified as key to achieving universal health coverage and financial protection. However, this is not always the case, according to Alessandra Ferrario and colleagues from the Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Institute, Boston, USA [1].

Key issues for adalimumab biosimilars

Adalimumab is a popular and effective antibody treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A recent position statement from the Belgian IBD research group (BIRD) reviews key issues surrounding the use of adalimumab biosimilars, including extrapolation, immunogenicity and switching [1].

EMA approval for rituximab biosimilar Ruxience

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 31 January 2020 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the rituximab biosimilar Ruxience.

Failures when switching patients to biosimilar etanercept

A ‘real-world’ study on switching patients from the originator etanercept, Enbrel, to the biosimilar Benepali (SB4) investigated the reasons why some patients switched back to the originator [1].

Rituximab biosimilar ABP 798 submitted to FDA

US-based biotech giant Amgen and its partner Allergan announced on 19 December 2019 that their rituximab biosimilar (ABP 798) had been successfully submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review.

Law and ethics of switching to biosimilars in Canada

With healthcare budgets in mind, governments and financial institutions across the globe are planning or implementing non-medical or ‘forced’ switches by cutting drug coverage for reference biologicals and funding only less expensive biosimilars. This is a subject fraught with issues related to both the law and the ethics of switching. Authors Blake Murdoch and Timothy Caulfield of the Health Law Institute, Faculty of Law, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, try to address how such issues might affect Canada [1].

Biosimilars applications under review by EMA – January 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.

Mabpharm files infliximab copy biological application in China

US-based biopharmaceutical company Sorrento Therapeutics (Sorrento) announced on 6 January 2020 that its partner, China-based Mabpharm, had filed a marketing application with China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for its infliximab copy biological (CMAB008).

Adalimumab biosimilars in Europe: a review

A recent position statement from the Belgian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) research group (BIRD) reviews the five biosimilars of adalimumab available in the European Union (EU) [1]. Adalimumab, which has been marketed under the brand name Humira, is a popular antibody treatment for a number of inflammatory conditions.

China approves bevacizumab copy biological Ankeda

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), announced on 9 December 2019 that it had approved Ankeda, a bevacizumab copy biological.

Swiss position statement on the use of biosimilars in IBD

Experts from the Swiss Society of Gastroenterology have provided a position statement on the use of biosimilars in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The position paper summarizes key regulatory and clinical issues around biosimilars to help improve clinician and patient awareness.

Teriparatide biosimilar Terossa approved in South Korea

South Korea-based Daewon Pharmaceutical has obtained regulatory approval to begin marketing and selling its teriparatide biosimilar in Korea.

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk launches lower-priced insulin options

Originator insulin makers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have both announced the introduction of additional reduced cost insulin options for patients.

Bevacizumab and teriparatide biosimilars launched in Japan

Biosimilars for osteoporosis treatment teriparatide and for anticancer drug bevacizumab were launched in Japan in late 2019.

Real-life clinical effectiveness of Razumab in wet AMD

The multicentre, retrospective RE-ENACT 2 study evaluated the real-world effectiveness of ranibizumab biosimilar, Razumab, for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). This report presents the results from a subgroup analysis of the RE-ENACT 2 study [1].

WHO prequalifies first biosimilar

The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified its first biosimilar – trastuzumab – in a move that the organization says, ‘could make this expensive, life-saving treatment more affordable and available to women globally’.

Samsung Bioepis and AffaMed to start trastuzumab trial in China

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has granted approval for partners Samsung Bioepis and AffaMed Therapeutics (AffaMed) to start a phase III trial for their trastuzumab product, SB3.

Biocad announces positive rituximab results and plans to enter EU market

Russian biotechnology company Biocad has announced plans to enter the European market and has published positive results for its rituximab non-originator biological Acellbia (BCD-020).

Positive trial results for Lannett’s insulin biosimilar

US firm Lannett has completed a successful trial of their candidate insulin biosimilar, which was compared to Sanofi’s blockbuster insulin product Lantus.

NeuClone progress with ustekinumab and trastuzumab biosimilars

Australian biosimilars firm NeuClone has started a phase I trial of their proposed ustekinumab biosimilar and announced positive results from a trial of their trastuzumab biosimilar.

Non-originator biologicals approved in Russia

Last update: 10 January 2020

In Russia, the regulatory body for the approval of medicines is Russia’s Ministry of Health (Министерство здравоохранения Российской Федерации; Rosminzdrav, Minzdrav).

Analytical similarity assessment of teriparatide biosimilar Terrosa

Terrosa and Movymia (both developed under the code name RGB-10), were the first biosimilars of Eli Lilly’s osteoporosis biological Forteo/Forsteo (teriparatide) in Europe. Gedeon Richter and Stada Arzneimittel gained European Commission approval for Terrosa and Movymia in January 2017 [1] and launched the biosimilars in August 2019 [2]. Meanwhile, RGB-10 was also approved in other countries, including Switzerland and Japan.

FDA approval for Amgen’s infliximab biosimilar Avsola

US-based biotech giant Amgen announced on 6 December 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its infliximab biosimilar Avsola (ABP 710).

Canadian gastroenterologists issue biosimilar position statement

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) and Crohn’s and Colitis Canada announced on 24 October 2019 that they had issued a joint position statement on the use of biosimilars for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [1].

Bio-Thera gains Chinese approval for adalimumab copy biological and starts ustekinumab trial

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has approved Qletli, an adalimumab copy biological. The NMPA has also approved the Investigational New Drug (IND) application from Bio-Thera Solutions (Bio-Thera) to initiate a phase I clinical study for the proposed ustekinumab copy biological BAT2206.

Pharmacists must be ready to take the lead on biosimilars

Pharmacists should take the lead in increasing the adoption of biosimilars in clinical practice, says a review of the implications of biosimilars for pharmacy practice. The review suggests that pharmacists in all settings can take a key role in advocating for biosimilars [1].

Australia approves five biosimilars since June 2019

Australia’s regulatory agency, the Therapeutic Goods Agency (TGA) has approved five biosimilars since June 2019. The biosimilars approved in the country since then include three pegfilgrastim biosimilars, a trastuzumab biosimilar and a bevacizumab biosimilar.

Use of pegfilgrastim copy biological Mecapegfilgrastim in neutropenia

Italian oncologists report on studies carried out with a new pegfilgrastim copy biological, Mecapegfilgrastim (HHPG-19K) [1].

Phase III trials started for bevacizumab and natalizumab biosimilars

Phase III trials have started for proposed biosimilars of bevacizumab and natalizumab.

EC approval for subcutaneous infliximab biosimilar Remsima SC

South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion Healthcare (Celltrion) announced on 26 November 2019 that it had received European Commission (EC) approval for the subcutaneous (SC) formulation of its infliximab biosimilar (CT-P13) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

WHO launches insulin prequalification programme

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a pilot prequalification scheme to certify biosimilar versions of insulin in order to increase supply in low- and middle-income countries.

Biosimilar education for Canadian nurses

In general, Canadian nurses are familiar with biosimilars. However, according to authors Sehdev et al., they may have knowledge gaps in their specific understanding, resulting in a significant unmet need for education.

Lupin to launch etanercept and pegfilgrastim biosimilars in the US

India-based generics maker Lupin, which is expecting European approval for its etanercept biosimilar in March 2020, has announced plans to launch the drug on the US market soon after, alongside a pegfilgrastim biosimilar.

FDA approves adalimumab biosimilar Abrilada

US-based pharma giant Pfizer announced on 18 November 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its adalimumab biosimilar (PF 06410293).

Qilu starts phase III trial for denosumab copy biological

Chinese pharmaceutical company, Qilu Pharmaceutical (Qilu) is carrying out a phase III clinical trial for a copy biological of Amgen’s Prolia/Xgeva (denosumab).

Brazilian efficacy and safety data for biosimilar infliximab CT-P13 in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Celltrion/Hospira’s infliximab biosimilar Remsima/Inflectra (CT-P13) was authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2013 [1] and by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016 [2].

Biologicals and biosimilar use in Asian patients with IBD

The increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) has become a major challenge for gastroenterologists in some Asian countries, particularly China, Japan and Korea. This subject was discussed in the August 2019 issue of the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology [1].

Adalimumab copy biological accepted for review in China

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), has accepted an application for the approval of adalimumab copy biological UBP1211.

Oncology pharmacists issue position statement on biosimilars

On 4 October 2019, the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP) issued their global position on the use of biosimilars in cancer treatment and supportive care.