Biosimilars

FDA releases new patient guidance on biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 11/10/2019

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released new patient materials on biosimilars, which explain that biosimilars are as safe and effective as their reference biological and answer a number of commonly asked questions.

Adalimumab copy biological shown to be safe and effective

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 11/10/2019

Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Innovent Biologics’ adalimumab copy biological has shown comparable safety and efficacy to the originator drug, Humira (adalimumab), in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Biosimilars applications reviewed in the EU

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 04/10/2019

The European Union (EU) was the first to establish a legal framework for biosimilars back in 2003 [1]. Since the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved its first biosimilars in 2006, the agency has issued new guidelines and updated its existing guidelines based on new evidence and rapid advances in analytical sciences [2].

Three darbepoetin alfa biosimilars approved in Japan

Biosimilars/News | Posted 04/10/2019

Three pharmaceutical companies have announced approval of their anaemia treatments for sale on the Japanese market, while Mochida reveals it will sell the first teriparatide biosimilar in the country.

Novo Nordisk to launch biosimilar insulin in the US

Biosimilars/General | Posted 04/10/2019

Novo Nordisk has announced plans to launch biosimilar versions of its NovoLog and NovoLog Mix insulin products in the US in January 2020.

iBio and CC-Pharming collaborate for rituximab copy biological in China

Biosimilars/News | Posted 04/10/2019

Biotechnology company iBio, self-professed leader in the plant-made pharmaceutical field, announced on 27 August 2019 that it will expand its collaboration with China-based CC-Pharming for a rituximab copy biological in China.

Switching from originator to biosimilar epoetins appears to be effective and safe

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 04/10/2019

Switching between biological drugs during pharmacological treatment leads prescribers and patients to ask themselves the question: ‘Will it be safe?’. In particular, when switching from an originator to a biosimilar, the belief that this choice is shaped by economic reasons feeds suspicions and controversies.

Positive EMA-CHMP opinion for SC infliximab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 27/09/2019

South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion announced on 22 September 2019 that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) had recommended for approval the company’s subcutaneous (SC) formulation of its infliximab biosimilar (CT-P13) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Mylan’s insulin biosimilar blocked, but wins patent battle over pegfilgrastim biosimilar

Biosimilars/General | Posted 27/09/2019

Mylan has received a second complete response letter (CRL) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over its Lantus biosimilar, while a US District Court rules in their favour over their pegfilgrastim biosimilar, Fulphila.

Samsung Bioepis to supply Brenzys to Brazil under production development partnership

Biosimilars/News | Posted 27/09/2019

On 10 September 2019, Samsung Bioepis announced that it had signed a productive development partnership (PDP) with Brazil’s Ministry of Health to supply Brenzys, a similar biotherapeutic product to rheumatoid arthritis treatment Enbrel (etanercept), to Brazil for the next 10 years.

Switching from originator infliximab to CT-P13: real-world data with 24 months of follow up

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 27/09/2019

A prospective observational study with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients switched from infliximab to CT-P13 treatment was carried out at Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain, and reviewed up to 24 months. The primary endpoint was to analyse the loss of response to infliximab after switching. A loss of response was considered as the Harvey–Bradshaw (HB) index >4 for CD, partial Mayo score (PMS) >2 for UC, steroid use or surgery related to the activity of the disease and/or infliximab dose increase during the follow up.

Trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma approved in Canada

Biosimilars/News | Posted 20/09/2019

South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion announced on 10 September 2019 that Health Canada had approved its trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma.

UnitedHealthcare to preferentially cover Amgen’s anticancer biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 20/09/2019

The largest insurer in the US, UnitedHealthcare, has announced it will preferentially cover Amgen’s biosimilar cancer treatments from 1 October 2019.

China approves new formulation of etanercept copy biological Yisaipu

Biosimilars/News | Posted 20/09/2019

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), has approved Yisaipu, an etanercept copy biological as a pre-filled syringe.

Screening protein surface biosimilarity of rituximab using aptamers

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 20/09/2019

Among the many features needed to prove sufficient biosimilarity to a licensed drug produced in living organisms, is coherency of the three-dimensional structure. The integrity thereof is vital for the efficacy and safety of a biopharmaceutical, and even small and local structural changes may result in loss of function or cause undesired side effects for the patients. Reliable assessment of the detailed three-dimensional structure, however, requires laborious analytical methods like Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) or X-ray crystallography. Another option, epitope characterization using antibodies specific for the target biologicals, is restricted by the availability of appropriate, well-characterized antibody panels and typically involves animal experiments.

Canadian IBD charity updates biosimilar position statement

Biosimilars/General | Posted 13/09/2019

On 5 September 2019, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada announced that it had updated its position statement on the use of biosimilars for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The updated position statement was published after the organization reviewed its position on biosimilars particularly related to non-medical switching policy.

Herzuma gains Japanese approval for three-week cycle method

Biosimilars/News | Posted 13/09/2019

South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion announced at the end of August 2019 that Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) had approved a three-week cycle method for its trastuzumab biosimilar, Herzuma (CT P6), in the treatment of breast cancer.

More positive phase III results for rituximab biosimilar ABP 798

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 13/09/2019

Biotech giant Amgen, and its partner Allergan, announced on 22 August 2019 positive data from a ‘top-line’ phase III study of its rituximab biosimilar (ABP 798) compared to Rituxan (rituximab) in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients.

Clinical comparability between rituximab biosimilar RTXM83 and rituximab in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 13/09/2019

The arrival of biosimilars represents more affordable alternatives for patients in several countries, increasing their access to costly biological treatments [1]. The positive impact of biosimilars on the financial sustainability of healthcare systems has been recognized by several haemato-oncological societies.

Revance Therapeutics focus on its own Botox biosimilar as work with Mylan is stalled

Biosimilars/News | Posted 13/09/2019

As Revance gives Mylan more time to decide whether to develop their joint Botox biosimilar, the firm is continuing to focus on its own Botox biosimilar, DAXI. It aims to launch the product in 2020.

Teriparatide biosimilar Terrosa launched in Europe

Biosimilars/News | Posted 06/09/2019

Hungary-based Gedeon Richter (Richter) announced on 20 August 2019 that it had launched its teriparatide biosimilar Terrosa in Europe immediately following the patent expiry of the reference product in August 2019.

Switching from reference to biosimilar infliximab in ankylosing spondylitis patients

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 06/09/2019

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that affects the spine and the sacroiliac (SI) joints. AS is a type of seronegative spondyloarthropathy [meaning that tests show no presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) antibodies] or axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), i.e. it is a chronic, autoinflammatory disease predominantly affecting the axial skeleton [1].

Court rules Amgen’s patents on Enbrel are valid, Sandoz to appeal

Biosimilars/General | Posted 06/09/2019

After the US District Court of New Jersey ruled in Amgen’s favour on the validity of its patents for arthritis treatment Enbrel, Sandoz says it will appeal the ruling, which prevents the launch of its biosimilar Erlezi.

Positive results for Bio-Thera’s arthritis copy biologicals

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 06/09/2019

China-based Bio-Thera Pharmaceuticals have begun a phase I trial for its Simponi copy biological and obtained positive results from a phase III trial of its Humira copy biological.

Mylan launches adalimumab biosimilar Hulio in Spain

Biosimilars/News | Posted 06/09/2019

US-based drugmaker Mylan announced on 9 July 2019 the launch of its adalimumab biosimilar, Hulio, in Spain; the company’s first biosimilar in the country.

Perceptions of biosimilars among US cancer patients

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 30/08/2019

Amid increasingly expensive cancer treatments, researchers in the US explored perceptions of generic drugs among a group of 75 patients, in findings presented alongside the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.

Heparin biosimilar to be marketed in Canada

Biosimilars/News | Posted 30/08/2019

Canadian pharmaceuticals firm Valeo Pharma Inc has been given the rights to market a biosimilar version of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), which is used to prevent blood clots in a range of conditions.

Momenta drops Humira biosimilar development

Biosimilars/General | Posted 30/08/2019

Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2019 on 2 August 2019. In this, they reported that they will stop the development of their Humira (adalimumab). However, they will continue to develop other biosimilar products.

Comparison of darbepoetin alfa and epoetin alfa for the treatment of renal anaemia

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 30/08/2019

Darbepoetin alfa (DA-α) manufactured by Hetero Biopharma (Hetero) is the first long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agent with extended dosing intervals. This gives it an advantage over epoetin alfa (EPO) and epoetin beta. It also has a half-life three-fold longer than that of EPO.

Trastuzumab biosimilar to be distributed by Mundipharma

Biosimilars/News | Posted 30/08/2019

Singapore-based Prestige BioPharma’s (Prestige) trastuzumab biosimilar Tuznue (HD201) will be distributed in selected European markets exclusively by UK-based Mundipharma International (Mundipharma) and its independent associated companies. Tuznue is a biosimilar of Roche’s Herceptin (trastuzumab) which is used to treat patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-overexpressing breast cancer, HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

Mylan launches first trastuzumab biosimilar in Australia

Biosimilars/News | Posted 23/08/2019

Global generics firm Mylan NV (Mylan) and collaborating Indian pharmaceuticals giant Biocon Ltd (Biocon) have announced the launch of the first trastuzumab biosimilar in Australia. The drug can be used to treat breast and stomach cancers and will be marketed as Ogivri.

Samsung Bioepis starts phase III trial for eculizumab copy biological

Biosimilars/News | Posted 23/08/2019

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

Australia approves three biosimilars in first half of 2019

Biosimilars/General | Posted 23/08/2019

Australia’s regulatory agency, the Therapeutic Goods Agency (TGA) has up until the end of June 2019 approved three biosimilars. The biosimilars approved in the country so far include two trastuzumab biosimilars and an adalimumab biosimilar.

Safety of SC form of infliximab biosimilar CT-P13

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 23/08/2019

Positive results for Celltrion Healthcare’s (Celltrion) subcutaneous (SC) formulation of its infliximab biosimilar, CT-P13 (Remsima), have been presented at the European Congress of Rheumatology 2019 (EULAR 2019) [1].

FDA approves adalimumab biosimilar Hadlima

Biosimilars/News | Posted 16/08/2019

Korea-based biosimilars maker Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) announced on 24 July 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its adalimumab biosimilar (SB5).

Korean firms to launch biosimilars in Japan despite trade tensions

Biosimilars/News | Posted 16/08/2019

Despite increasing trade tensions between Japan and Korea, two Korean firms have confirmed that they intend to move ahead with the launch of their darbepoetin alfa biosimilars in Japan in the second half of 2019.

Biosimilars applications under review by EMA – July 2019

Biosimilars/General | Posted 16/08/2019

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.

Positive phase III results for bevacizumab copy biological IBI305

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 16/08/2019

Innovent Biologics (Innovent) has presented positive phase III results for its bevacizumab copy biological IBI305 at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Extensive characterization of biosimilars: a pegylated filgrastim study

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 16/08/2019

Pegfilgrastim, is a 38 kDa, pegylated form of filgrastim, with a 20 kDa monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG) molecule covalently bound to the N-terminal methionyl residue of filgrastim developed by Amgen. Attachment of the mPEG-moiety enables a longer half-life, that enables only once-per-cycle administration for the management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. This results in a much simpler treatment regime for patients. The biosimilar version of pegfilgrastim developed by Intas Pharmaceuticals, and marketed by Accord Healthcare under the brand name Pelgraz, is one of the first pegfilgrastim biosimilars to be approved for market authorization in the European Union (EU) [1].

Distinct suffixes will aid biosimilar competition, says new research

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 09/08/2019

The differential naming of originator and biosimilar products supports accurate pharmacovigilance and promotes biosimilar uptake, finds a literature review recently published in GaBI Journal [1].