Menu

Biosimilars/Research

16 AA010705

Real-world data cannot replace post-approval confirmatory trials

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/01/2022

A study published in JAMA Network Open [1] finds that real-world data are not sufficient to confirm the benefits of drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) accelerated approval programme, and therefore cannot replace post-approval confirmatory trials.

Clinical Trials 2 V13K29

Differences in clinical studies and pharmacovigilance of biological drugs in Latin America

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 14/01/2022

Clinical studies are trials conducted in humans to test the efficacy of new drugs, devices, and other forms of treatment, as well as those already approved. On the other hand, preclinical or non-clinical studies are in vitro or in vivo studies, carried out on animals, which are necessary to evaluate the toxicity of the product and prove drug safety.

19646665_l

Regulations of the registration of biosimilars in Latin America

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 17/12/2021

In the review and comparison of biosimilar products performed in the nine Latin American countries, particularities were found regarding their definition, as some regulations do not include the term, affecting the biosimilarity exercise and clinical and non-clinical information. In addition, differences were also found in aspects of their use, such as extrapolation of indications and automatic substitution or interchangeability. As for its labelling, further research by health authorities is required [1].

Educate Yourself V13H02

Biosimilar uptake and the education of healthcare provider

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 17/12/2021

Affordability and access. Two simple words that nevertheless convey the complex burdens facing many healthcare systems around the world. And within the healthcare realm, there is likely no aspect that embodies issues related to affordability and access more than prescription medicines.

79 MD002389

Biosimilar reimbursement rules cost Medicare over US$1.5 billion

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 10/12/2021

Current Medicare Part B biosimilar reimbursement rules prevented healthcare savings of over US$1.5 billion between 2015 and 2019, revealed a study published in JAMA Network Open [1].

05 AA011027

Evidence on automatic substitution of biologicals is limited

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/12/2021

A systematic review of the evidence on automatic substitution of biological medicines [1] finds that current research evidence is mainly based on opinion polls and surveys of low-to-moderate quality, with results that are not generalizable or suitable for guiding policy.

01 AA007239

Definition of biological terms in Latin America

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/12/2021

To conduct a comparative study of the health registration regulations for biological and biotechnological drugs in Latin America, Ramírez-Telles et al. made an approximation, as clear as possible, of biological terms: regulatory authority of reference, biotechnological drug, reference biological drug and innovative product. Its objective was to detect the differences and what these variations entailed when comparing the following Latin American countries: Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama [1]. 

Quality, similarity and safety V13D12

Biosimilar mAb development – quality similarity considerations

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 26/11/2021

Since 2013, when the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody (mAb) was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the number of approved biosimilar mAbs has been increasing dramatically [1]. The large number of approved biosimilar mAbs in both the European Union (EU) and the US makes the evaluation of these applications possible from a product quality perspective.

Turkey 2016 COVER V16E31DG

Advances for Samsung Bioepis’ eculizumab and trastuzumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 26/11/2021

Samsung Bioepis has announced the completion of its global phase III clinical trials of a biosimilar of Soliris (eculizumab), for treating certain rare blood diseases. In addition, it also presented its results from a five-year follow-up study that showed its biosimilar Ontruzant (trastuzumab) has comparable cardiac safety profiles and long-term efficacy as the originator, Herceptin.

AA010962

Regulation of the registration of biological drugs in Latin America

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 19/11/2021

Biological drugs are defined as products with active ingredients produced from a biological source, whereas a biotechnological product is developed from the isolation of a gene of interest and its cloning [1].

ST002293

Biosimilars: Promises made. Promises kept?

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 19/11/2021

Biosimilars are biological products that are highly similar to their reference biologicals. Biosimilars are designed to have comparability with respect to quality, safety and efficacy compared to an already licensed reference biological. Most regulatory agencies, including the European Medicines Agency (EMA), do not require a full clinical dossier for a biosimilar. It is usually possible to carry out one clinical trial in one indication, with the option to extrapolate to other indications of the reference biological [1].

Regulation V13H16

Progress in the regulation of biosimilars in the EU

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 12/11/2021

Analysis of regulation of biosimilars in the EU concludes that regulation is progressing as more knowledge is gained, which is reflected in the changing nature of regulatory guidelines. The authors conclude that the EU framework generates safe and effective biosimilars [1].

Meds Cost Euros 1 V13L06

Biosimilars, clinical management and incentives

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 12/11/2021

The aim of a study carried out by Spanish researchers was to identify and analyse policies applied in the health services to enhance uptake of biosimilars in the framework of clinical management settings [1]. Incentives, both financial and non-financial, were of particular interest for the authors. They reviewed the relevant experiences developed in different high-income countries with advanced healthcare systems. In addition, they investigated barriers to the implementation of these policies in Spain.

25 AA011049

YLB113 etanercept biosimilar autoinjector 'safe and effective’

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 05/11/2021

Analysis of the YLB113 etanercept autoinjector, a biosimilar to reference etanercept, finds a high rate of injection success and supports the safe and effective use of YLB113 [1].

Bevacizumab VEGF Lucentis V21D02MN

Progress for bevacizumab copy biologicals from Henlius and Innovent

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 05/11/2021

Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc (Henlius) reports progress in clinical trials of a bevacizumab copy biological for age-related macular degeneration and colorectal cancer, while Innovent Biologics reports positive findings from a trial of their bevacizumab copy biological in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Switching V19A17

Data support the interchangeability of EU biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 29/10/2021

The first study to comprehensively analyse post-marketing surveillance data for biosimilar monoclonal antibodies demonstrates comparable efficacy, safety and immunogenicity with the originator products [1].

Patent 1 V13E17

Patent litigation insights on barriers to US biosimilar market growth

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 29/10/2021

High prices of biological drugs have placed substantial strain on the US healthcare system. To help address this problem, Congress passed the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCI Act) as part of the Affordable Care Act, which created an abbreviated approval pathway for biosimilars – versions of ‘originator’ biological drugs made by different manufacturers. To resolve disputes over whether a biosimilar manufacturer would infringe patents on the originator biological by entering the market, the BPCI Act included a multi-step litigation process, which starts when the biosimilar manufacturer submits its abbreviated biological license application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, a decade after its passage, the BPCI Act has spurred only limited competition [1].

126 AA010686

Research, development and public production of pharmaceuticals in Argentina

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 22/10/2021

Under the current research and development model, the pharmaceutical industry has switched its focus towards the therapeutic areas that offer the greatest commercial benefit, which are often not aligned with public health needs. Consequently, it has ceased to be the great innovative industry that it had been during the last century.

02 AA010638

Delayed biosimilars market entry costs US billions

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 22/10/2021

Delayed adalimumab biosimilar entry to the US market is estimated to have cost Medicare over US$2.19 billion between 2016 and 2019, a study published in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics has revealed.

02 AA010638

Demand for similar biotherapeutic products in Latin America

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 02/07/2021

Development of biologicals has experienced steady growth over the past three decades. Expiration of patents on many originator biologicals, such as insulin, human growth hormone and erythropoietin, has opened the door for the development of biosimilars. The high cost of biologicals, however, has limited their accessibility, particularly in developing countries. Biosimilars offer much-needed affordability and hence improved accessibility. Global health agencies, such as the World Health Organization, are engaged in developing a prequalification program in order to help countries that do not have strong regulatory systems [1].