Biosimilars/Research

Multiple successive switches between infliximab biosimilars in IBD

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 01/10/2021

Recently, biosimilar tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists have become available and are being increasingly used in treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The first infliximab biosimilar to receive approval was CT-P13 (Remsima) based on data from rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, followed by extrapolation to other indications of originator infliximab (Remicade). The second infliximab biosimilar, SB2 (Flixabi), received authorization based on a pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers and a study in rheumatoid arthritis [1].

Different approaches to the interchangeability of biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 05/03/2021

The interchangeability of biosimilars can sometimes be an emotive subject. Despite reservations by prescribers, payers and patients, many countries have implemented policies allowing for the substitution of biologicals with biosimilars. However, there is still a lack of harmonization around the world when it comes to how different countries or regions approach the interchangeability of biosimilars [1].

Federal purchases of biological drugs for cancer in Brazil

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 24/09/2021

Buying biosimilars is generally considered to be a way to increase access to cancer treatments in public health services. In Europe, the approval, commercialization and use of similar biotherapeutic products (SBPs) have been encouraged as a way to reduce costs and expand treatment coverage [1, 2]. In Brazil, an analysis of the profile of purchases of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) acquired by the Unified Health System (SUS) between 2015 and 2019 showed that this premise might not be true in Brazil [2].

Clinical pharmacists have a critical role in increasing biosimilar uptake

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 17/09/2021

The increasing global burden of chronic diseases, including cancers, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, anaemia of chronic renal failure, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, blood disorders and others, underscore the importance of patients’ access to safe and effective treatments. Interestingly, the introduction of biologicals in the 1980s revolutionized the treatment of these chronic diseases with better prognosis, although high costs and limited patient access remain challenges. These biologicals are known by various names, including biopharmaceutical agents, biologicals, biological therapies, biological agents and biological response modifier therapy or immunotherapy. Biologicals are derived or manufactured from a living biological system. With the majority of originator biologicals losing patent protection and the emergence of biosimilars, the landscape of biologicals is facing many changes.

Clinical development of biosimilars in the oncology setting

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 17/09/2021

Biologicals as monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are highly complex products produced in living systems. They are included as treatment, combined with chemotherapy, for multiple common malignancies as cancer, in first- and second-line treatment regimens. However, the patient’s access to this type of treatment can be limited due to their high cost.

Knowledge and perceptions of naming for biosimilars in the US

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 10/09/2021

The relatively recent introduction of biosimilars to the US market and the new naming convention for biopharmaceuticals prompted exploration of their impact in clinical practice. Naming guidance for new biological products and biosimilars was published by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017, which proposed the use of a core name followed by a 4-letter suffix devoid of meaning to facilitate pharmacovigilance [1]. In order to find out how this system was viewed by healthcare providers, researchers evaluated use of, knowledge about, perceptions of, and preferences for this naming convention in clinical practice [2]. Previous studies informed the hypothesis that healthcare providers would demonstrate knowledge gaps surrounding biosimilars and opinions regarding 4-letter suffix use would be inconsistent. This study aimed to understand the impact of the recent naming guidance in clinical practice.

New quality-range-setting method for biosimilarity assessment

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 10/09/2021

Spanish researchers present a new method for the estimation of quality range (QR) bounds based on the variance components to account for both between-lots and within-lots variability; variance components are computed by the maximum likelihood method using a linear random model [1]. The authors have called this method QR_ML to differentiate it from the currently used procedure based on one sample per batch. For this, the molecular weight (Mw) and dimer content (expressed as percentage) were used as critical quality attributes (CQAs). Real data from seven batches of a commercial bevacizumab drug product were used.

Biosimilars in Europe: prescriber survey

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 26/03/2021

A survey of European prescribers reveals a significant increase in familiarity with biosimilars since 2013 [1]. In addition, prescribers increasingly believe they should always have control of treatment decisions, including those to switch to a biosimilar.

Long-term safety and efficacy of anti-TNF-α biosimilars in psoriasis

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 24/09/2021

Biologicals have greatly improved treatment options and outcomes for patients with moderate-to severe psoriasis. Despite being significantly more effective than conventional systemic agents for psoriasis, the high cost of biologicals may limit their use [1].

Biosimilars and interchangeability in oncology

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/09/2021

Researchers from Brazil investigated, from a pharmaceutical perspective, a major problem of the present time, which is the interchangeability of biosimilars [1].

Biosimilar interchangeability and emerging treatment strategies for IBD

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/09/2021

Biosimilar development and utilization, as well as non-biological oral agents with unique pathological targets, will continue to dominate efforts to improve patient access and reduce the overall cost of care as non-surgical treatments for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in adults and children. Therapeutic drug monitoring, combined with inflammatory biomarkers, have become the standard of care to assess effectiveness.

Collaboration between regulatory authorities for biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 26/02/2021

A survey carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019‒2020 highlighted the need for collaboration between regulatory authorities in order to expediate the approval of biosimilars [1].

Approaches to naming and labelling of biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 12/03/2021

Naming and labelling of biosimilars has been a controversial issue and there is a long-standing debate regarding the naming of biologicals.

Regulatory issues related to quality of biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 05/02/2021

The quality of biosimilars was one of the challenges identified from the results of a survey carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) [1]. The survey, which was carried out in 2019‒2020, revealed that despite the efforts of WHO in helping Member States implement the evaluation principles in the WHO biosimilar guidelines [2] into their regulatory practices, challenges still remain.

Biosimilars and lack of resources

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 22/01/2021

The results of a survey carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019‒2020 [1] revealed that, despite the efforts of the organization in helping Member States implement the evaluation principles in the WHO biosimilar guidelines [2] into their regulatory practices, challenges still remain. Lack of resources was one of the challenges identified from the results of the survey.

Pharmacist-driven biosimilar substitution saves money

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 27/08/2021

A study of pharmacist-driven substitution of brand-name biologicals with biosimilars has shown that this can lead to substantial cost savings in the setting of a community oncology practice.

Alvotech and Celltrion proceed with adalimumab and rituximab biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 27/08/2021

Iceland-based Alvotech has reached the primary completion date in a switching study for its adalimumab biosimilar, AVT02, while Celltrion Healthcare has released real-world data on the safety and efficacy of its rituximab biosimilar, Truxima, supporting its use as a treatment for lymphoma.

Canadian study says drug formulary policies do not improve biosimilar uptake

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 30/07/2021

Traditional public drug programme formulary policies alone are not effective in affecting biosimilar uptake, according to a Canadian study published in JMCP [1].

Clinical trials begin for Bio-Thera’s golimumab copy biological

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 30/07/2021

China-based Bio-Thera Solutions (Bio-Thera) have begun a phase III clinical trial for BAT2506, copy biological of the anti-inflammatory molecule Simponi (golimumab).

Bioequivalence of MYL-1402O to EU- and US-reference bevacizumab

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 30/07/2021

The proposed bevacizumab biosimilar MYL-1402O demonstrated bioequivalence to European Union (EU)- and United States (US)-reference bevacizumab in a pharmacokinetic (PK) study of healthy adult male volunteers.

Biosimilars and availability of reference products

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 15/01/2021

A survey was carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019‒2020 covering most current topics pertinent to biosimilars [1].

What drives negative perceptions of biosimilars?

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 23/07/2021

A study of patients taking biological drugs in New Zealand identifies a number of attributes associated with negative perceptions of biosimilars, including being female, seeking information online, and preferring innovator drugs [1].

Clinical trials begin for ustekinumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 23/07/2021

Biosimilars firms BioFactura and Alvotech announce the start of clinical trials for their Stelara (ustekinumab) biosimilars, named BFI-751 and AVT04, respectively.

Switching to biosimilars safe and effective in IBD patients

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 16/07/2021

Multiple adalimumab biosimilars are now approved for use in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In fact, to date, 29 June 2021, there are 10 adalimumab biosimilars approved in Europe [1]. However, despite their approval, effectiveness and safety data in IBD remains scarce, according to authors from the UK and The Netherlands [2].

Biosimilars in Spain: balance between innovation and health public expenditure

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 16/07/2021

Biosimilars have been marketed in the European Union (EU) for 13 years. Due to uncertainties about substitutability and interchangeability, their commercialization has been criticised.

Regulatory landscape for similar biotherapeutic products in Latin America

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 09/07/2021

Most Latin American countries are in the process of or have already established their own regulatory guidelines for similar biotherapeutic products (SBPs), and there are regional recommendations on how to ensure the safety and efficacy of biosimilars.

Biosimilars in Japan: an overview

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 09/07/2021

No regulations on interchangeability exist in Japan and switching between a reference product and biosimilar is often impractical, according to a letter recently published in The Lancet Oncology [1].

Biosimilar epoetin in the US – barriers and recommendations

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 02/07/2021

A review of biosimilar epoetin, which is used to treat cancer and chemotherapy-induced anaemia, shows variable uptake in the US. The authors conclude that safety and pricing considerations are the primary determinants of uptake and make recommendations to increase usage [1].

Regulatory challenges with biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 08/01/2021

The World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Biological Standardization adopted guidelines for biosimilars at its 60th meeting in October 2009 [1]. Since then, according to authors from regulatory bodies across the globe, WHO ‘has provided considerable effort toward helping member states implement the evaluation principles in the guidelines into their regulatory practices’.

Local level biosimilar prescribing proactivity revealed in Italy

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 25/06/2021

Italian local healthcare authorities are highly proactive regarding actions on prescribing behaviour for off-patent biologicals, reveals a study published in GaBI Journal [1]. However, work needs to be done to appropriately reallocate resources gained through patent expiration.

Measures to promote the use of biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 25/06/2021

How to increase the uptake of biosimilars is an important issue both in Europe and across the world. Europe, via its centralized European Medicines Agency (EMA), has been very successful in approving biosimilars. There are currently 73 biosimilars approved in Europe, almost all of which were marketed immediately after approval [1]. Despite the success in approving and marketing biosimilars, the uptake of biosimilars does vary between different countries in Europe. To encourage the use of biosimilars, targets and incentives have been used across Europe [2]. However, pricing can also play an important role and was investigated by Josep Maria Guiu Segura and Antoni Gilabert Perramon [3].

Prices for arthritis biologicals in Latin America

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/06/2021

Analysis of the prices of biological and biosimilar drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis suggests these drugs are more accessible in Spain than in Latin America, but least affordable in the US [1].

New data on adalimumab biosimilars from Samsung Bioepis and Boehringer Ingelheim

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/06/2021

Recently published data show that switching to Samsung Bioepis adalimumab
biosimilar Imraldi is safe and effective, while data from Boehringer Ingelheim suggest their adalimumab biosimilar, Cyltezo, could be classed as interchangeable.

Positive phase III results for tocilizumab biosimilar BAT1806

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 11/06/2021

US biotechnology company Biogen Idec (Biogen) and China-based Bio-Thera announced on 1 June 2021 positive phase III data for their tocilizumab biosimilar, BAT1806. According to the two companies, ‘the comparative study met its primary endpoints and showed equivalent efficacy and comparable safety profile in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis’.

Efficacy and safety of Yuflyma vs reference adalimumab in rheumatoid arthritis

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 11/06/2021

Yuflyma (CT-P17) is an adalimumab biosimilar, administered at 100 mg/mL that also has the same citrate-free and high concentration formulation of reference adalimumab. To demonstrate the bioequivalence of CT P17 to reference adalimumab, a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study in subjects with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was conducted [1]. The study was designed to demonstrate equivalence of efficacy (ACR20* response rate at Week 24) for CT P17 versus reference adalimumab and to evaluate additional efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK), usability and safety over one year.

Positive phase I results for Meiji’s ustekinumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 04/06/2021

Japan-based Meiji Seika Pharma (Meiji) announced on 21 May 2021 positive phase I results for its candidate ustekinumab biosimilar, DMB-3115.

Review and meta-analysis of biosimilars for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 04/06/2021

Authors from Japan provide a new perspective on biosimilars for management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to provide evidence of efficacy and safety of biosimilars compared with reference biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) (reference bDMARDs) in patients with RA as a part of the process of developing the 2020 update of the Japan College of Rheumatology (JCR) guidelines for the management of RA [1].

On the edge of transition: European biosimilar clinical trial requirements

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 31/05/2021

Recent debates have focused on the clinical trial requirements for biosimilar approval [1-4]. Further, the regulatory approval of biosimilars in the European Union (EU) has been changed, where in some instances and under certain conditions clinical trials to establish comparable efficacy have been excluded [4]. Still, the regulatory recommendation for more complex molecules such as monoclonal antibodies is without exception to conduct clinical comparability trials [4].

Are regulatory and scientific reporting biosimilar QAs consistent and complimentary?

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/05/2021

Questions have been raised regarding the consistency and complementarity of reporting biosimilar quality attributes between regulatory and scientific communities. For the first time, a study published in Biologicals [1] has found that while the reporting of quality attributes (QAs) by these two sources lacks consistency, overall, they do complement one another.

Role of European patient associations when informing patients about biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/05/2021

Biosimilars contribute to more sustainable healthcare systems by generating competition in the off-patent biologicals market. The extent to which the benefits of competition in the marketplace are exploited depends, of course, on their use in clinical practice. One of the factors determining adoption in clinical practice is the acceptance by healthcare providers (HCP) and patients. Often, a lack of acceptance comes down to shortcomings in knowledge and understanding about biosimilars. Educating patients about biosimilars is therefore considered as one of the key elements for a successful market for off-patent biologicals and biosimilars.