Biosimilars

Green Shield Canada’s biosimilar switch pilot a success

Biosimilars/General | Posted 08/03/2019

Canadian not-for-profit healthcare benefits specialist, Green Shield Canada (GSC), announced in December 2018 that its biosimilar transition pilot had been successfully completed.

Mandatory and non-mandatory switching for biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 01/03/2019

Glintborg and co-authors responded to the comments made by Marc Scherlinger and Thierry Schaeverbeke on their paper ‘To switch or not to switch’, which reported the results of biosimilar etanercept switching in Denmark [1].

Monoclonal antibody copy biologicals accepted for review in China

Biosimilars/News | Posted 01/03/2019

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), has accepted applications for approval of two monoclonal antibody copy biologicals (IB 305 and HLX22).

Positive phase III results for rituximab biosimilar ABP 798

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 01/03/2019

Biotech giant Amgen, and its partner Allergan, announced on 24 January 2019 positive data from a phase I/III study of its rituximab biosimilar (ABP 798) compared to Rituxan (rituximab).

Pfizer drops five preclinical biosimilar programmes

Biosimilars/General | Posted 01/03/2019

US pharma giant Pfizer confirmed on 15 January 2019 that it had terminated five of its preclinical biosimilar programmes after looking at the results of the company’s annual investment review.

Questions over DANBIO relevance for non-medical switching

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 22/02/2019

Italian rheumatologists Fabrizio Cantini and Maurizio Benucci commented on the paper from Glintborg and co-authors ‘To switch or not to switch’, which reported the results of biosimilar etanercept switching in Denmark [1].

EC approval for pegfilgrastim biosimilar Fulphila

Biosimilars/News | Posted 22/02/2019

In January 2019, the pegfilgrastim biosimilar, Fulphila, received European Commission (EC) approval.

Biosimilar teriparatide approved for the treatment of osteoporosis

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 22/02/2019

Osteoporosis is a modern day epidemic longevity has brought about and represents an enormous socioeconomic burden. Being largely asymptomatic the silent thief can get away with insidiously stealing the patient’s bones until, as a result of the relentless bone loss, fragility fractures inevitably occur. The first, so-called sentinel fracture is the forerunner of the devastating fracture cascade as any prior fracture translates into a two- to four-fold increase in the risk of sustaining a subsequent one within one year [1].

Three FDA approvals for Glenmark as it enters US branded dermatology market

Biosimilars/News | Posted 22/02/2019

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc has been granted approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its generic versions of Zytiga, DermOtic oil and Qudexy XR, and has announced its entry into the US branded dermatology segment.

Safety surveillance of bevacizumab biosimilar (Bevax) in Argentina

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 15/02/2019

Benefit-risk evaluations are mandatory throughout the life cycle of a therapeutic agent, to guarantee efficacy for the authorized indications without an unacceptable incidence of adverse effects. This monitoring can be carried out using pharmacovigilance (PhV) procedures, which are vital in the identification and prevention of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Due to the inherent variability of bioproduction, this is of paramount importance for biological products, including biosimilars.

PanGen gains Malaysian approval for epoetin alfa biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 15/02/2019

South Korea-based biotechnology company PanGen Biotech (PanGen) announced on 7 February 2019 that Malaysia’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency has granted sales approval for Erisa, an epoetin alfa biosimilar.

European regulatory framework for approval of biosimilars – perspectives and future developments

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 15/02/2019

Regulatory agencies around the world have reviewed and approved marketing authorization applications for biosimilars via specific marketing authorization procedures that vary between jurisdictions. In Europe, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has already more than 10 years of experience with review of applications and approval of biosimilars for use in the European Union.

Long-term stability of trastuzumab biosimilar under various storage conditions

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 08/02/2019

Trastuzumab (TTZ) is a monoclonal antibody that interferes with the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). In some cancers, including certain types of breast cancers and gastric cancers, HER2 is overexpressed, causing cancer cells to reproduce uncontrollably. TTZ can be used in the management of these cancers.

EMA approval for adalimumab biosimilars Idacio and Kromeya

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/02/2019

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 31 January 2019 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the adalimumab biosimilars Idacio and Kromeya.

Barriers and facilitators to biosimilar prescribing in the UK

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 08/02/2019

At present, the rate of uptake of biosimilars is keenly debated among stakeholders in different healthcare specialties. Aladul et al. examined the perspectives on biosimilars among healthcare professionals (HCPs) from gastroenterology, rheumatology and diabetes specialities to shed light on barriers and facilitators to their prescribing in the UK [1]. In a qualitative, cross-sectional study, 22 HCPs (consultants, nurses and pharmacists) from five hospitals in the West Midlands were interviewed.

Australia’s PBAC recommends substitution of adalimumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/02/2019

Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended that the adalimumab biosimilars Amgevita and Hadlima ‘should be treated as equivalent’ to the brand-name biological Humira on the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Tanvex BioPharma submits filgrastim biosimilar to Health Canada

Biosimilars/News | Posted 01/02/2019

Taiwan-based biosimilars developer Tanvex BioPharma (Tanvex) announced on 16 January 2019 that it had submitted a biosimilar application to Health Canada for its proposed filgrastim biosimilar TX01.

Liability chain of biosimilar switching

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 01/02/2019

When an adverse event to a medicinal product, or a loss of efficacy, is experienced by a patient, the liability chain may potentially involve both the manufacturer and/or Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) (products liability) and the healthcare professionals responsible for prescribing, dispensing and/or administrating (professional liability) the medicine.

FDA approves trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma

Biosimilars/News | Posted 01/02/2019

On 14 December 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the trastuzumab biosimilar, Herzuma (trastuzumab-pkrb), for the treatment of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-overexpressing breast cancer.

Adalimumab biosimilar Imraldi makes waves in Europe

Biosimilars/General | Posted 01/02/2019

Korean biosimilars maker Samsung Bioepis has gained more than 60% of the adalimumab market in Germany for its adalimumab biosimilar, Imraldi. But it’s not just Imraldi and not just in Germany, the company’s accumulated sales for three of its biosimilars in Europe reached US$545.2 million in 2018.

Biosimilars - to switch or not to switch

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 25/01/2019

Authors Marc Scherlinger and Thierry Schaeverbeke commented on the paper from Glintborg and co-authors ‘To switch or not to switch’ ,which reported the results of biosimilar etanercept switching in Denmark [1].

FDA approves trastuzumab biosimilar Ontruzant

Biosimilars/News | Posted 25/01/2019

On 18 January 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the trastuzumab biosimilar, Ontruzant (trastuzumab-dttb), for the treatment of patients with breast and gastric cancer.

Biosimilars applications under review by EMA – January 2019

Biosimilars/General | Posted 25/01/2019

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.

Alteogen wins process patent for aflibercept biosimilar

Biosimilars/General | Posted 25/01/2019

South Korean biologicals company Alteogen announced on 4 January 2019 that it had been granted a process patent for its method of producing an aflibercept biosimilar, ALT‑L9, referencing Regeneron’s blockbuster drug Eylea (aflibercept). The patent is a novel method for producing the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) fusion protein.

Positive phase III results for rituximab biosimilar CT-P10

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 25/01/2019

Celltrion has presented positive phase III results for its rituximab biosimilar CT‑P10 at the American Society of Hematology Meeting (ASH) annual meeting.

CKD Pharma’s darbepoetin alfa biosimilar launched in Japan

Biosimilars/News | Posted 18/01/2019

On 4 December 2018, South Korean drugmaker Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical (CKD Pharma) announced that it had received approval for its second-generation anaemia biosimilar, CKD‑11101 (darbepoetin alfa).

EMA continues to be open to alternative clinical development strategies for biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 18/01/2019

In the European Union (EU) and other highly regulated markets, companies need to prove the similarity of proposed biosimilars to the established reference product for gaining market authorization. European regulators recommend using a stepwise approach whose first steps consist of a demonstration of similarity at the analytical level and via non-clinical studies. In addition, as a later step, clinical studies are an important source of additional evidence.

Positive phase III results for rituximab biosimilar PF 05280586

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 18/01/2019

Pfizer has presented positive phase III results for its rituximab biosimilar PF‑05280586 at the American Society of Hematology Meeting (ASH) annual meeting.

Celltrion wins patent suit in Japan over trastuzumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/General | Posted 18/01/2019

South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion announced on 5 November 2018 that it had won a patent suit in Japan involving its trastuzumab biosimilar, Herzuma (CT‑P6)

EMA approval for bevacizumab biosimilar Zirabev

Biosimilars/News | Posted 11/01/2019

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 13 December 2018 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the bevacizumab biosimilar Zirabev.

Long-term follow-up of switching to biosimilar infliximab

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 11/01/2019

A study of long-term follow-up data after switching to biosimilar infliximab appears to show identical retention rates, according to French researchers [1].

Trastuzumab and agalsidase beta biosimilars launched in Japan

Biosimilars/News | Posted 11/01/2019

Japanese firms have announced the launch of trastuzumab and agalsidase beta biosimilars in Japan on 28 November 2018.

Biosimilars makers in Canada to launch patient support programme

Biosimilars/General | Posted 11/01/2019

Biosimilars Canada, an association representing Canada’s biosimilar makers, announced on 22 November 2018 that it had chosen pharmaceutical service provider Innomar Strategies to be the preferred provider for the association’s Patient Support Program (PSP) platform.

WHO should finalize its BQ guidance

Biosimilars/General | Posted 14/12/2018

According to authors from the US, the World Health Organization (WHO) should finalize its Biological Qualifier (BQ) guidance. Distinguishable naming will allow quick and accurate tracing of the manufacturer of biologicals, should adverse events occur and improve patient safety by reducing confusion and mishaps. This will ensure that developing nations, including those in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, have access to high quality, affordable medicines [1].

British diabetologists issues position statement on biosimilar insulin

Biosimilars/General | Posted 14/12/2018

The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) has issued a position statement on the use of biosimilar insulin. The statement summarises information on the advantages and disadvantages of using biosimilar insulins and gives the association’s position on when biosimilar insulins be used [1].