Biosimilars/Research

IBD barriers: an analysis of Latin America

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/10/2023

A comprehensive review conducted by Queiroz et al. in 2023 [1] explores the barriers to accessing IBD care throughout Latin America, a large and diverse region used to describe South America, Central America, Mexico and the islands of the Caribbean. Each one of these regions/countries carries a different cultural and historical background, diverse political systems and a distinct healthcare system.

Ophthalmology biosimilars in Canada: a prescriber’s perspective

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 15/09/2023

The first biosimilar entered the Canadian market in 2009 and the first ophthalmic biosimilar was approved in 2022. Now, a report based on the results of a 2022 survey [1], reveals the views of prescribing ophthalmology physicians in Canada on product identification, prescribing biologicals and prescribing biosimilars and switching.

Response to Opinion on: Four steps for streamlining biosimilars development

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 18/08/2023

In the Opinion article, 'Biosimilars drug development: time for a paradigm shift?' published in GaBI Journal, the authors question the need for what they consider to be the arduous regulatory requirements for approval of biosimilars [1]. In response to this article, Dr Robin Thorpe, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the journal has published a rebuttal [2], providing insightful counterpoints to the concerns raised by the authors.

Four steps for streamlining biosimilars development

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/08/2023

The cost of developing biosimilars can be prohibitively expensive. A manuscript published in GaBI Journal entitled 'Biosimilars drug development: time for a paradigm shift?' [1], explores ways in which we can see leaner and faster biosimilar clinical trials, without compromise on safety and efficacy of the drug products.

Biosimilars: US prescriber’s attitudes and perceptions revealed

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 28/07/2023

A report based on the 2021 survey carried out by the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) reveals the views of prescribing physicians, regarding the prescribing, substitution and interchangeability of biosimilars [1].

Clinical trial advances for Kashiv and Celltrion

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 24/07/2023

US-based Kashiv Biosciences announced that ADL018, a biosimilar candidate to Xolair (omalizumab), has completed a successful global phase I clinical study in healthy volunteers. In addition, South Korea’s Celltrion announced that it received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the phase III investigational new drug (IND) application of its biosimilar CT-P53 for Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), a treatment for multiple sclerosis.

Study investigates success of US ‘skinny label’ approval pathway

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 14/07/2023

Recent court rulings have put the US’ ‘skinny label’ approval pathway at risk. Now, a research letter published in JAMA Internal Medicine [1] has found approval and marketing of skinny label biosimilars have led to billions of dollars in savings to Medicare.

Low switch-back for patients treated with Avsola for IBD

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 06/06/2023

A study has reported low switch-back rates for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) switched from the reference infliximab product to Amgen’s biosimilar Avsola (infliximab-axxq), ABP 710 [1].

High mannose glycans in biosimilars and their pharmacokinetic impact

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 19/05/2023

A study conducted by Welch J et al. assessed the measurement, evaluation and potential for high mannose glycans to impact the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), based on data submitted in 21 applications reviewed and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They also analysed reproducibility data of the glycan values for a subset of programmes within a reference product class. This reproducibility assessment enabled a broader cross-programme comparison of whether observed differences in high mannose between a proposed biosimilar and its reference product translate into PK differences.

Biosimilars in Southern European Hospital Markets: barriers and determinants of uptake

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 12/05/2023

A recent publication by Barcina Lacosta et al. reflected on the need to understand market dynamics generated following biosimilars availability in Southern Europe, emphasizing that the competitive potential of biosimilars can be further deployed [1]. Considering the country-, setting-, and product-specific nature of biosimilar uptake patterns [2-5], the authors focused the analysis on hospital tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor markets in Italy, Portugal and Spain [1].