Biosimilars/Research

Accountability, safety and competition in biologicals markets

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 12/05/2017

Regulatory systems for drug approval aim to reduce the likelihood of drug-related safety problems, but cannot fully eliminate post-marketing safety events. Such safety problems can have substantial consequences for patient’s well-being. For example, the most severe class of recalls issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) occur about once per month, and have recently been increasing in frequency [1]. Post-marketing surveillance or pharmacovigilance systems enable monitoring of and response to safety problems that may be undetected before drugs reach the general market [2]. When a safety problem occurs, successful identification of the responsible firm, or accountability, depends on the information available to the pharmacovigilance effort [3, 4]. 

Computer modelling for glycoengineering of biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 04/05/2017

In order to be approved by regulatory agencies, biosimilars are required to match all pharmacological properties of the originator protein drug to guarantee efficacy and alleviate safety concerns.

Prospective study finds switching to biosimilar infliximab safe

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 28/04/2017

A study of the infliximab biosimilar Remsima has, according to the authors, shown similar ‘safety and survival’ of biosimilar infliximab Remsima compared to the originator biological Remicade [1].

Rituximab biosimilar safe in advanced follicular lymphoma patients

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/04/2017

A study of the rituximab biosimilar CT‑P10 has, according to the authors, ‘demonstrated’ similar pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety when administered in combination with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone (CVP) in patients with newly diagnosed advanced follicular lymphoma (AFL) [1].

Harmonization of requirements for NBCDs across regions

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/04/2017

Efforts are being undertaken to continuously develop and harmonize the regulatory requirements for complex medicinal products across regions. Taking this into account, authors Ehmann and Pita believe the European Union (EU) network is ready for non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs) [1].

US pharmacists’ views on the naming and labelling of biologicals

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 14/04/2017

The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) has published the results of a survey determining the opinions of US pharmacists about the naming and labelling of biosimilars [1].

Italian study compares epoetin biosimilars and originator biologicals

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 14/04/2017

Recently, extensive discussion on the opportunity offered by biosimilars for the sustainability of the National Health Services has taken place in academic and regulatory contexts. The use of biosimilars continues to be limited, and the scepticism of prescribers and patients seem to be linked to the uncertainty of the risk-benefit profile of biosimilars. In the case of epoetins, used in the management of anaemia in the nephrology and oncology settings, the results of a recent study showed no difference between biosimilars and originators on relevant effectiveness and safety outcomes [1].

Pharmacovigilance of biologicals in Denmark

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 19/08/2016

As a result of the increasing use of biologicals and biosimilars in Denmark, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in partnership with the country’s regulatory agency has set up an action plan to monitor biologicals and improve pharmacovigilance, as well as to improve understanding among healthcare professionals and patients [1].

Filgrastim follow-on biological has similar efficacy and safety in breast cancer patients

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 07/04/2017

A study comparing two filgrastim formulations for controlling chemotherapy-induced neutropenia has reported similar efficacy, safety and non-inferiority of the biosimilar [1].

Marketing authorization for NBCDs in the EU

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 07/04/2017

The regulatory body for approval of medicines in the European Union (EU) is the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The agency is responsible for the scientific evaluation of medicines developed by pharmaceutical companies for use in the EU and this also includes non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs).