Biosimilars/General

Biosimilars of bevacizumab

Biosimilars/General | Posted 02/06/2014

Last update: 5 February 2021

Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody. It inhibits angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) by blocking the action of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). Bevacizumab can therefore slow the growth of new blood vessels in tumours and is used to treat various cancers, including colorectal, lung, breast, glioblastoma, kidney and ovarian.

Samsung biosimilars: denosumab clinical trials begin, while rituximab development is halted

Biosimilars/General | Posted 22/01/2021

Korea-based Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) has initiated phase III trials for its denosumab biosimilar, while development on a rituximab biosimilar through subsidiary company Archigen Biotech has been stopped.

Biosimilars of filgrastim

Biosimilars/General | Posted 20/03/2015

Last update: 22 January 2021

Filgrastim is a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Filgrastim treatment can be used to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more neutrophils (white blood cells) to fight infection in patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment.

Biosimilars applications under review by EMA – January 2021

Biosimilars/General | Posted 15/01/2021

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.

Biosimilars of pegfilgrastim

Biosimilars/General | Posted 31/10/2014

Last update: 15 January 2021

Pegfilgrastim is a PEGylated form of the recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) analogue filgrastim. It serves to stimulate the level of white blood cells (neutrophils). Pegfilgrastim treatment can be used to stimulate bone marrow to produce more neutrophils (white blood cells) to fight infection in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Biosimilars of trastuzumab

Biosimilars/General | Posted 19/09/2014

Last update: 15 January 2021

Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to and inactivates the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neu receptor. In some cancers, notably certain types of breast cancers, HER2 is over-expressed, and causes cancer cells to reproduce uncontrollably. Trastuzumab is therefore used to treat HER2 positive (HER2+) breast cancers.

Biosimilars in Australia – a-flagging and sustainability

Biosimilars/General | Posted 08/01/2021

Australia first introduced guidelines for biosimilars back in August 2008 when it adopted a number of guidelines from the EU on similar biological medicinal products [1].

Biosimilars of rituximab

Biosimilars/General | Posted 27/02/2015

Last update: 8 January 2021

Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against the protein CD20, which is primarily found on the surface of immune system B cells. Rituximab destroys B cells and is therefore used to treat diseases that are characterized by excessive number of B cells, overactive B cells or dysfunctional B cells. This includes many lymphomas, leukaemias, transplant rejection and autoimmune disorders.

Biosimilar advances for Samsung Bioepis

Biosimilars/General | Posted 11/12/2020

Korea-based Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) has announced several advances related to its infliximab, denosumab and ranibizumab biosimilars. These announcements come after the company revealed soaring sales figure in Europe.

Biosimilars of denosumab

Biosimilars/General | Posted 23/02/2018

Last update: 11 December 2020

Denosumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that is an inhibitor of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), which works by preventing the development of osteoclasts which are cells that break down bone. It is used for the treatment of osteoporosis, treatment-induced bone loss, metastases to bone and giant cell tumour of bone.