Biosimilars
Epoetin alfa biosimilar effective in treating anaemia
Authors of a post-marketing study of the epoetin alfa biosimilar Retacrit say that the biosimilar is effective and well tolerated in treating chemotherapy-induced anaemia (CIA) [1].
Pharmacovigilance for mAbs
Professor Pierre Michetti, a gastroenterologist at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland in his paper discusses questions related to monoclonal antibody (mAb) biosimilars [1]. One question addressed was that of pharmacovigilance for mAbs.
US doctors poised to prescribe biosimilars
A survey of specialists in the US has found that nearly half of them expect to prescribe biosimilars to treatment-naïve patients.
Benefits and concerns related to biosimilars
As patents of the first introduced biological therapeutics in oncology have begun to expire, competing pharmaceutical companies are allowed to produce and market the same protein as the originator agent. This follows the pattern of the development of generics. However, biosimilars are fundamentally different from generics. Particularly in the field of oncology, the introduction of monoclonal antibodies has resulted in spectacular therapeutic advances by increasing the cure rate of early cancers and prolonging survival. Similar advances have occurred in rheumatology, haematology, neurology and other fields. Most therapeutic biologicals are monoclonal antibodies with molecular weights of around 140,000 Daltons [1]. Other peptides include hormones, growth factors and vaccines [2]. Most of those products are expensive and their broad application drains the financial resources of healthcare systems. Therefore, the development of biosimilars is expected to be mutually beneficial for both the pharmaceutical industry and society: pharmaceutical companies may enter a lucrative business, whereas payers reasonably expect lower prices for these costly but essential drugs.
Merck Group starts phase III trial for adalimumab biosimilar
Germany’s Merck KGaA (Merck Group) announced on 2 March 2016 that it had started a phase III clinical trial for its adalimumab biosimilar (MSB11022) in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis.
Extrapolation of indications for mAbs
Monoclonal antibody (mAb) biosimilars have recently entered the market, raising questions in the healthcare community. One of the questions discussed by Professor Pierre Michetti, a gastroenterologist at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland, was that of extrapolation of indications for mAbs [1].
Amgen sues Sandoz over etanercept biosimilar
Following the submission of application for approval of its etanercept biosimilar in the US, Sandoz is coming under fire from originator company Amgen.
Epirus starts phase III trial for infliximab biosimilar
US-based biologicals company Epirus Biopharmaceuticals (Epirus) announced on 9 February 2016 that it had started a phase III trial for its infliximab biosimilar (BOW015).
Beyond biosimilarity
The advent of monoclonal antibody (mAb) biosimilars has raised a series of questions in the healthcare community. Just a few of these questions were discussed by Professor Pierre Michetti, a gastroenterologist at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland [1].
Sandoz acquires EEA rights to infliximab biosimilar from Pfizer
Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, announced on 12 February 2016 that it had acquired the rights for the development and commercialization of Pfizer’s biosimilar infliximab (PF-06438179) in the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the 28 countries of the European Union (EU), plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
