Biosimilars
Pure red cell aplasia in a CKD patient after treatment with epoetin zeta
Authors from the Versilia and Manzoni Hospitals in Italy report the case of a patient who developed pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) following subcutaneous administration of epoetin zeta, which is one of the two biosimilars of epoetin alfa licensed in Europe [1].
FDA advisors recommend approval of Sandoz’s etanercept biosimilar
US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) advisors have voted to recommend the approval of Sandoz’s biosimilar version of Amgen/Pfizer’s arthritis blockbuster Enbrel (etanercept).
Biosimilars of tocilizumab
Last update: 4 December 2020
Tocilizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R). It is an immunosuppressive drug used mainly for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a severe form of arthritis in children. In Japan, tocilizumab is also approved for the treatment of Castleman’s disease, a rare benign tumour of B cells.
The economic impact of biosimilars in the US
Biologicals are large molecule compounds used to treat rare or complex diseases. Between 2013 and 2014, spending on specialty drugs, including biologicals, increased 32.4%, while spending on small-molecule drugs increased by just 6.8%. By 2016, eight of the 10 top-selling drugs are expected to be biologicals.
Positive clinical data for three anti-TNF-α biosimilars
Results of studies of three biosimilars from Samsung Bioepis, Benepali (etanercept), Flixabi (infliximab) and candidate biosimilar SB5 (adalimumab), have shown ‘comparable outcomes with regards to both the efficacy and safety of treatment’ when compared to their respective reference products, according to the company [1-3].
Doctors want more details in biosimilars labelling
In the European Union (EU), labels (Summaries of Product Characteristics, SmPCs) for biosimilars and their reference products are, in many instances, almost identical despite different data requirements for the authorization of biosimilars.
Mylan presents comparability data for trastuzumab biosimilar
Generics giant Mylan Pharmaceuticals (Mylan) presented robust data from its biosimilar trastuzumab programme at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting ASCO 2016 held in Chicago, USA on 3–7 June 2016.
Real-world safety data for epoetin alfa biosimilar
A 2-year post-marketing study of the epoetin alfa biosimilar Binocrit has found the biosimilar to be safe in daily clinical practice, according to the authors [1].
Health Canada approves Inflectra biosimilar for extra indications
US-based generics maker Hospira, now part of Pfizer, announced on 14 June 2016 that its infliximab biosimilar Inflectra had received approval from Canada’s medicines regulator, Health Canada, in three extra indications.
Biosimilar rituximab in biological naïve rheumatoid arthritis patients
Cost remains a major constraint in the use of originator biologicals in rheumatology in developing countries, paving the way for ever increasing usage of biosimilars. However, apart from the cost, their efficacy and safety are of tremendous interest to clinicians in both developing and developed worlds.
