Biosimilars
Korean approval for infliximab biosimilar
Samsung Bioepis and partner Merck announced on 4 December 2015 that Samsung Bioepis had received approval for its infliximab biosimilar Renflexis from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS, formerly the Korea Food and Drug Administration).
Biosimilar adalimumab application submitted to EMA
Biotech giant Amgen announced on 4 December 2015 that it had submitted an application for marketing approval for its adalimumab biosimilar (ABP 501) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Regulation and uptake of ‘similar biologics’ in India
India has, by far, demonstrated the greatest acceptance of ‘similar biologics’. But what are the drivers and the limitations to the ‘similar biologics’ market in India? This is a question Dr Nagaraj Malipatil, a clinical pharmacologist, from Bangalore, India tried to address in his review of similar biologics in India [1].
Assessing the immunogenicity of monoclonal antibodies
Safety is a major concern when it comes to biologicals (including biosimilars) and the most critical safety concern is immunogenicity. This is especially important in monoclonal antibody (mAb) biologicals, which are large molecules with complex structures and functions and which represent the largest class of biologicals [1].
Positive phase III results for adalimumab biosimilar
US-based biologicals giant Amgen announced on 9 November 2015 that results from a phase III study of its adalimumab biosimilar (ABP 501) had ‘met the primary endpoint’.
FDA accepts application for pegfilgrastim biosimilar
Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, announced on 18 November 2015 that its regulatory submission for its proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar had been accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Infliximab price wars
Merck has reportedly slashed the price of its blockbuster Remicade (Infliximab) in the UK in order to fight off growing competition from infliximab biosimilars.
Outcry at new US biosimilars reimbursement policy
A newly announced US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule that gathers together all biosimilars of a single reference product under just one code has been widely criticized by drugmakers. Drugmakers warn that the rule on Medicare physician payment would reduce incentives for developing biosimilars, reduce patient access and create safety issues due to the inability to differentiate between biosimilars and reference products.
EMA recommends approval of etanercept biosimilar
The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 19 November 2015 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for a biosimilar etanercept product (SB4).
Amgen submits biosimilar adalimumab application to FDA
Biotech giant Amgen announced on 25 November 2015 that it had submitted an application for marketing approval for its adalimumab biosimilar (ABP 501) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
