Biosimilars
South Africa approves first non-originator biological
South Africa’s Medicines Control Council (MCC) has approved the country’s first non-originator biological, filgrastim, from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva).
Biosimilars in oncology in Europe
In the European Union (EU), a legal framework for approving biosimilars was established back in 2003. This framework allows for biosimilars to be approved using an abbreviated pathway centrally via the European Medicines Agency (EMA) [1].
Biosimilars of palivizumab
Palivizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody. It targets the fusion protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) inhibiting its entry into the cell and thereby preventing infection. Palivizumab is therefore used in the prevention of RSV infections.
EMA approval for bevacizumab biosimilar Mvasi
The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 10 November 2017 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the bevacizumab biosimilar Mvasi.
Switching to biosimilar infliximab in IBD patients
Biological agents, such as infliximab, have transformed the outcomes of patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. The advent of biosimilar treatment options, such as CT‑P13 (Remsima/Inflectra), promises to improve the availability of biological therapy.
Biosimilars in oncology in the US
As part of the Affordable Care Act of 2010, the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCI Act) allows for an abbreviated license pathway for the approval of biosimilars in the US. In light of continuing increases in healthcare costs, particularly for cancer drugs, use of biosimilars is increasingly being considered as a strategy for containing the cost of cancer care, according to Dr Gary Lyman of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA [1, 2].
EC approval for adalimumab biosimilar Cyltezo
Germany-based Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals (Boehringer) announced on 13 November 2017 that it had received European Commission (EC) approval for its biosimilar adalimumab product Cyltezo (BI 695501).
Loss of efficacy after switching to biosimilar infliximab in Behcet’s patients
Authors from the Division of Rheumatology at the Hospital of Prato, Italy report on three patients with Behçet’s disease that experienced disease relapses after switching from the originator infliximab, Remicade, to biosimilar infliximab [1].
Adalimumab and trastuzumab biosimilars approved in South Korea
South Korean biosimilars maker Samsung Bioepis announced on 9 November 2017 that it had received marketing approval for its biosimilar version of Roche’s blockbuster breast cancer therapy Herceptin (trastuzumab) from Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). The news follows another announcement by the company on 22 September 2017 that it had also gained approval for its adalimumab biosimilar (SB5).
Opportunities and challenges for biosimilars in oncology
The rapid increase in healthcare costs, particularly for cancer drugs, has had a major impact on providers, practices, payers and patients, according to Dr Gary Lyman of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA [1, 2].
