Biosimilars
Samsung halts biosimilar rituximab development
South Korean electronics giant Samsung has halted clinical development for the biosimilar version (SAIT101) of Roche’s Rituxan/MabThera (rituximab).
Pfizer carrying out biosimilar trastuzumab trial in US
Pharma giant Pfizer is carrying out a phase I trial in the US for a biosimilar version of trastuzumab.
Biosimilars applications under review by EMA
Last update: 11 January 2013
EMA is the body responsible for approval of biosimilars within the EU. A legal framework for approving biosimilars was established in 2003. Approval of biosimilars is based on an abbreviated registration process, which allows biosimilars manufacturers to provide a reduced package of information compared to originator drugs, provided they can prove ‘similarity’ to the originator or ‘reference drug’.
Medicago and Cellectis in successful biosimilars research collaboration
Canadian biopharmaceutical company Medicago and Cellectis plant sciences, a subsidiary of Cellectis SA, French genome engineering specialist, announced on 4 October 2012 the successful completion of the first step in their research collaboration to improve therapeutic proteins produced in tobacco plants.
Overview of research on biosimilarity/comparability and interchangeability of biosimilars 2012
Period: January to August 2012
After the patent on a biological medicine expires ‘similar’ versions of the originator biological can be produced. These biosimilars or ‘similar biological medicinal products’ are similar (but not identical) in terms of quality, safety and efficacy to an authorised reference biological medicine.
Teva halts phase III biosimilar rituximab trial
Israeli generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) has suspended its phase III trial of its biosimilar version (TL011) of Roche’s Rituxan/MabThera (rituximab).
Boehringer Ingelheim completes biosimilar adalimumab trial
Biopharmaceutical specialist Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals (Boehringer Ingelheim) has completed its phase I trial for a biosimilar version of adalimumab.
EMA publishes revised biosimilar Q&A document for patients
On 27 September 2012 EMA published its revised Questions and Answers (Q&A) document on biosimilar medicines aimed at patients and the general public.
Overview of research on safety and immunogenicity of biosimilars in 2012
Period: January to August 2012
Biosimilars or ‘biosimilar medicinal products’ are medicinal products that are similar (but not identical) in terms of quality, safety and efficacy to an authorised biological reference medicine. Manufacturing of biologicals is complex, and the quality of the resulting biological is dependent on careful control of manufacturing processes and conditions. Unlike traditional small molecule (chemical) drugs, the development of biologicals is different and variable with respect to the manufacturing process and environmental factors, such as light and temperature. The complexity and heterogeneity of the molecular structure, complicated manufacturing processes, different analytical methods and possibility of immunogenicity reactions make quantitative evaluation of biosimilars a challenge to both the scientific community and regulatory agencies.
EMA receives second application for biosimilar infliximab
According to EMA’s list of applications for new human medicines under evaluation by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use released in September 2012, the agency will be reviewing a second application for a biosimilar version of infliximab.
