Biosimilars
Investigating G-CSF biosimilars approved in Europe
A life-threatening complication for patients undergoing chemotherapy is febrile neutropenia, involving a loss of neutrophils (white blood cells) and fever. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs) are growth factors which are used to restore neutrophil production.
Is pegfilgrastim superior to filgrastim for the treatment of febrile neutropenia?
A study to compare the cost-efficiency of three different recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs) for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia assumes that they are of comparable efficacy. But how solid is the evidence for this assumption? A study by Professor Matti Aapro and co-authors explores the available evidence regarding efficacy for the three G-CSFs, filgrastim (Neupogen, Amgen), pegfilgrastim (Neulasta, Amgen) and a filgrastim biosimilar (Zarzio, Sandoz/Novartis) and concludes that evidence behind previous claims of superiority for pegfilgrastim is ‘similar’ and ‘open to question’ [1]. Thus, originator and biosimilar filgrastim appear to be holding ground in the efficacy stakes.
Testing for unwanted immunogenicity from biologicals
Immunogenicity caused by biologicals, both originator and biosimilar, is an important issue that was raised by Dr Wadhwa from the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control [1].
Asian companies venture into biosimilars for kidney failure
Malaysia-based Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCM) wholly-owned subsidiary CCM Duopharma Biotech Berhad and Korea-based biotechnology company PanGen Biotech announced on 19 June 2012 that the companies had entered into an agreement to carry out a clinical trial of biosimilar erythropoietin in Malaysia to treat end stage renal failure patients.
iBio and GE Healthcare form new global alliance
Biotechnology company iBio, self-professed leader in the plant-made pharmaceutical field, and GE Healthcare, the health business of General Electric, announced on 26 July 2012 a new global alliance to commercialise plant-based technologies for the manufacture of biologicals and vaccines.
FDA urged to exclude plasma protein therapies from biosimilar pathway
FDA is being lobbied by patient and industry groups to exclude plasma protein therapies from its pathway for the approval of biosimilars. FDA has a mandate to create a new abbreviated process for the approval of biosimilars under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009, which was part of the new healthcare reform law passed in March 2010 [1]. This potentially brings cheaper products to market sooner, and so increases the availability of affordable health care. However, it also means that manufacturers applying for approval for new biosimilars may be able to skip clinical testing if they can demonstrate sufficient similarity with reference products.
Deal struck over development of Herceptin biosimilar
Netherlands-based biopharmaceutical company Synthon announced on 18 July 2012 that it has entered into a global licensing agreement with Amgen and Watson Pharmaceuticals for the clinical development and testing of biosimilar trastuzumab as an alternative to Roche’s blockbuster anticancer agent Herceptin. The deal follows the results of a phase I trial reported on 22 March 2012 showing bioequivalence between Synthon’s trastuzumab and Herceptin [1].
Positive results from phase I study with biosimilar insulin glargine
Leading biotech company Biocon announced on 25 July 2012 positive results from a phase I comparative study conducted in Germany of its biosimilar insulin glargine in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients.
Biosimilar monoclonal antibody approved in Korea
South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion announced on 23 July 2012 that the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) had approved its first monoclonal antibody, Remsima.
US supreme court ruling means biosimilars pathway safe
On 28 June 2012 the US Supreme Court ruled in favour of the bulk of the Affordable Care Act, meaning that the biosimilars pathway, which is part of the act, is now also safe.
