Biosimilars/General

Biosimilars of teriparatide

Biosimilars/General | Posted 03/03/2017

Last update: 11 December 2020

Teriparatide is a recombinant form of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Teriparatide is identical to a portion of human PTH and intermittent use activates osteoblasts more than osteoclasts, which leads to an overall increase in bone. This makes it an effective anabolic, i.e., bone growing, agent. It is therefore used for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men at high risk for fracture and for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in men and postmenopausal women.

Genentech sues Centus over Avastin biosimilar

Biosimilars/General | Posted 04/12/2020

Genentech Inc. filed a complaint against Centus in the United States (US) state of Texas on 15 November 2020. It is alleged that Centus’s Equidacent, a biosimilar to Genentech’s Avastin (bevacizumab), infringes 10 US patents.

Biosimilars of ranibizumab

Biosimilars/General | Posted 30/10/2015

Last update: 4 December 2020

Ranibizumab is a monoclonal antibody fragment created from the same parent mouse antibody as bevacizumab. Ranibizumab inhibits angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), a mechanism similar to bevacizumab [1].

Biosimilars of tocilizumab

Biosimilars/General | Posted 29/07/2016

Last update: 4 December 2020

Tocilizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R). It is an immunosuppressive drug used mainly for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a severe form of arthritis in children. In Japan, tocilizumab is also approved for the treatment of Castleman’s disease, a rare benign tumour of B cells.

Biosimilar toolkit for cancer patients

Biosimilars/General | Posted 27/11/2020

The European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) has launched a biosimilars e-module, or toolkit [1]. This aims to teach patients about the value of biosimilars.

Biosimilars of infliximab

Biosimilars/General | Posted 13/02/2015

Last update: 27 November 2020

Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). It is used to treat autoimmune diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis.

Biosimilars of insulin glargine

Biosimilars/General | Posted 08/04/2016

Last update: 27 November 2020

Insulin glargine is a long-acting basal insulin analogue, given once daily to help control the blood sugar level of those with diabetes. It consists of microcrystals that slowly release insulin, giving a long duration of action of 18 to 26 hours. Insulin glargine is indicated for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in adults, adolescents and children aged two years and above.

Alberta Biosimilars Initiative: switching policy updates in Canada

Biosimilars/General | Posted 20/11/2020

The Alberta government in Canada has announced updates to the Alberta Biosimilars Initiative.

Biosimilars of darbepoetin alfa

Biosimilars/General | Posted 01/08/2014

Last update: 20 November 2020

Darbepoetin alfa is a synthetic form of erythropoietin. It stimulates erythropoiesis (increases red blood cell levels) and is used to treat anaemia, commonly associated with chronic renal failure and cancer chemotherapy.