Biosimilars

EMA accepts first application for Chinese-made biosimilar HLX02

Biosimilars/News | Posted 09/08/2019

China-based Shanghai Henlius Biotech (Henlius) announced on 21 June 2019 that the regulatory submission for its proposed trastuzumab biosimilar (HLX02) had been accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

South Korea’s Celltrion to sell directly to Australia

Biosimilars/General | Posted 09/08/2019

In a successful month for Celltrion, the company announces plans to directly sell its anticancer biosimilars in Australia and begins a clinical trial for allergy treatment CT-P39.

Rituximab copy biological accepted for review in China

Biosimilars/News | Posted 09/08/2019

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), has accepted an application for approval of rituximab copy biological IBI301.

Real-world data on switching of etanercept biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 09/08/2019

Real-world and clinical data from different studies involving switching to etanerept biosimilars were presented at the European Congress of Rheumatology 2019 (EULAR 2019) [1].

FDA approves rituximab biosimilar Ruxience

Biosimilars/News | Posted 02/08/2019

US-based pharma giant Pfizer announced on 23 July 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its rituximab biosimilar (PF 05280586).

Long-term safety results for adalimumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 02/08/2019

ABP 501 is an adalimumab biosimilar which was compared to reference adalimumab in a 24-week phase lll study demonstrating equivalent efficacy and similar safety and immunogenicity [1]. The results of this clinical trial, along with the totality of evidence from analytical and biofunctional evaluation, lead to the approval of this adalimumab biosimilar for rheumatoid arthritis in the European Union and the US. ABP 501 is marketed as Amgevita in Europe and other markets. However, it will not be available in the US until 2023 due to an agreement between Amgen, the developer of the biosimilar, and AbbVie who manufactures the originator product, Humira (adalimumab) [2].

Positive phase III data for adalimumab copy biologicals

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 02/08/2019

Positive phase III data for adalimumab copy biologicals has been presented at the European Congress of Rheumatology 2019 (EULAR 2019) [1].

Lannett starts phase I trial for insulin glargine biosimilar in South Africa

Biosimilars/News | Posted 02/08/2019

US generics maker Lannett Company (Lannett) announced on 5 June 2019 that it had started a phase I clinical trial of its candidate insulin glargine biosimilar.

NHS England updates its ‘What is a Biosimilar Medicine?’

Biosimilars/General | Posted 02/08/2019

The National Health Service (NHS) England announced that it had updated its ‘What is a Biosimilar Medicine?’ document in June 2019.

EMA accepts application for bevacizumab biosimilar from Samsung Bioepis

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/07/2019

Korea-based Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) announced on 19 July 2019 that the application for approval for its proposed bevacizumab biosimilar SB8 has been accepted for review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Positive results for rituximab non-originator and copy biologicals

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 26/07/2019

Positive results for the rituximab non-originator biological BCD-020 (AcellBia) and for the rituximab copy biological HLX01 (Hanlikon) have been presented at the European Congress of Rheumatology 2019 (EULAR 2019) [1, 2].

Positive phase III results for trastuzumab biosimilar HD201

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 26/07/2019

Singapore-based Prestige BioPharma (Prestige) announced on 24 June 2019 positive phase III data for its trastuzumab biosimilar, HD201. The results, according to Prestige, ‘confirm the similarities between HD201 and trastuzumab’.

South Korea increases investment in biologicals

Biosimilars/General | Posted 26/07/2019

Investment in the biotech sector is ramping up in South Korea, with increased state-led support and private sector pledges.

Sandoz to start phase III trial for denosumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/07/2019

Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, is planning to start a phase III trial for its candidate denosumab biosimilar GP2411 in patients with post-menopausal osteoporosis in collaboration with Germany-based biosimilars maker Hexal.

FDA approves bevacizumab biosimilar Zirabev

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/07/2019

US-based pharma giant Pfizer announced on 28 June 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its bevacizumab biosimilar Zirabev (PF-06439535).

Real-world data confirms safety of infliximab biosimilar CT-P13

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 19/07/2019

Positive real-world data has been presented for Celltrion’s infliximab biosimilar CT P13 at the European Congress of Rheumatology 2019 (EULAR 2019).

Clinical and real-world data for switching to biosimilars

Asian specialists' recommendations for off-patent biologicals in IBD

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 19/07/2019

Gastroenterologists from across Asia have published a list of recommendations for the use of biologicals and off-patent biologicals in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Asia [1].

Positive phase III results for trastuzumab follow-on biological Zedora

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 19/07/2019

Results of a post-marketing study of Biocon and Mylan’s trastuzumab biosimilar Zedora (MYL-1401O) compared to Herceptin (trastuzumab) has shown equivalent safety data to the originator biological in breast and gastric cancer, according to the authors [1].

How local policy measures and practices influence originator biological and biosimilar market dynamics in Sweden

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/06/2019

The licensing of biologicals, including biosimilars, in Europe is centralized via the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Subsequently, individual European Member States are responsible for pricing, reimbursement and policies on market entry and use of medicines. This decentralized responsibility results in diverging approaches towards market entry and uptake of biosimilars and contributes to variation in the use of biosimilars across European countries, and even within countries differences in biosimilar uptake levels exist. The latter is the case for the 21 counties of Sweden, implying that decisions taken by their county councils play a role in market access of biosimilars, alongside policy measures and incentives provided at the national level.

FDA approves trastuzumab biosimilar Kanjinti

Biosimilars/News | Posted 21/06/2019

US-based pharma giant Amgen and Netherlands-based Allergan announced on 13 June 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its trastuzumab biosimilar Kanjinti (ABP 980).