Biosimilars
EC approves bevacizumab biosimilar Vegzelma
On 18 August 2022, South Korea-based biologicals specialist Celltrion announced that its bevacizumab biosimilar, Vegzelma (CT-P16), had received European Commission (EC) approval.
EC approves ranibizumab biosimilar Ranivisio
On 29 August 2022, the ranibizumab biosimilar Ranivisio (FYB201), developed by Bioeq – a joint venture between Formycon and Polpharma Biologics, was granted marketing approval by the European Commission (EC).
FDA accepts application for high concentration adalimumab biosimilar
Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, announced on 21 July 2022 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted the supplemental biologics license application for the high concentration formulation (HCF) of its adalimumab biosimilar Hyrimoz (GP2017) (adalimumab-adaz).
Applications for natalizumab biosimilars accepted by FDA and EMA
Applications for natalizumab biosimilars made by Sandoz (the generics division of Novartis) and Polpharma Biologics (Polpharma) have been accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Regulatory landscape for biosimilars in Latin America
The biosimilar regulatory situation in Latin America varies broadly among the different countries, even though Latin America is moving towards consolidating defined and standardised regulatory pathways for these products. This article gives a summary of the biosimilar regulatory status for the countries represented by members of the panel of experts of the American Health Foundation (AHF). The countries reviewed are Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Peru [1].
Totality of evidence for biosimilar pegfilgrastim Ziextenzo
Agarwala et al. have recently published a review on the totality of evidence (ToE) for the biosimilar pegfilgrastim Ziextenzo® (LA-EP2006) matching the European Union- (EU) and US-reference biological pegfilgrastim Neulasta® (marketed by Amgen) [1].
FDA accepts application for tocilizumab biosimilar
Fresenius Kabi, the generics unit of German healthcare giant Fresenius, announced on 1 August 2022 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted the application for their proposed tocilizumab biosimilar (MSB11456).
What does the designation of interchangeability for biosimilars in the US mean?
Biologicals have significantly improved patients’ quality of life, yet, access to these critical medicines are constrained due to cost and this is being exacerbated by the misperceptions around biosimilars. In particular, imprecise terminology has been applied to biosimilars, leading to the implication that biologicals designated as interchangeable by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are better biosimilars. The US is the only jurisdiction in the world with this additional designation from the regulator as an option for biosimilar sponsors to consider [1].
FDA approves first interchangeable ranibizumab biosimilar
Polpharma Biologics, Formycon and Bioeq jointly announced on 2 August 2022 that they had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their ranibizumab biosimilar (CHS-201/FYB201).
Access to biosimilars for cancer treatments in Latin America
In many Latin America countries, patient access to biosimilars for cancer treatment remains restricted. In particular for patients with breast cancer and colorectal cancer, biosimilars can be a step further to increasing access to care [1].
