Biosimilars
Protalix plant-produced Enbrel biosimilar effective in preclinical models
Protalix Biotherapeutics reported preclinical data on pr-antiTNF, a biosimilar version of etanercept (Enbrel). Produced using the company's proprietary ProCellEx technology, pr-antiTNF is a plant cell–expressed recombinant fusion protein made from the soluble form of the human TNF receptor (TNFR), fused to the Fc component of a human antibody IgG1 domain. Pr-antiTNF has an identical amino acid sequence to Enbrel. In vitro and preclinical animal studies have demonstrated that pr-antiTNF exhibits similar activity to Enbrel. Specifically, pr-antiTNF binds TNF-alpha thereby inhibiting it from binding to cellular surface TNF receptors and protects L929 cells from TNF-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In a proof-of-concept in vivo study using an established arthritis animal model, pr-antiTNF administered intraperitoneally significantly improved the clinical arthritis parameters associated with this accepted arthritis mouse model, including joint inflammation, swelling and tissue degradation. Data from the collagen-induced arthritis animal model studies are expected to be presented at an upcoming scientific conference.
Will there be unfair delays for the entry of biosimilars?
As pointed out by Managing Editor, Ms Maria Fabiana Jorge, in the Editorial of the Journal of Generic Medicines, Volume 6, Issue 4 of August 2009, countries around the world define the future pharmaceutical market, we must learn from the past to avoid making the same mistakes or falling into new ones. Unfortunately, the current system has serious flaws and it seems that we are moving towards creating others in the new one. It is essential that governments, the pharmaceutical industry and civil society throughout the world work closely to strike a better balance between innovation and access in the context of biotechnology medicines.
Quality, safety and efficacy of the epoetin alfa biosimilar Binocrit compared to Erypo/Eprex
A detailed checklist on the quality, safety and efficacy assessment of biopharmaceuticals was published by Professors Irene Krämer, Roger Tredree and Arnold Vulto in the 2008 EJHP Practice article Points to consider in the evaluation of biopharmaceuticals (Eur J Hosp Pharm Prac. 2008;14(1):73-6). The checklist was then used by Dr Carsten Brockmeyer and Dr Andreas Seidl of Sandoz/Hexal for Binocrit, the results of which were published in Eur J Hosp Pharm Prac. 2009;15(2):34-40.
Safety study for subcutaneous epoetin alfa biosimilar Binocrit/Epoetin alfa Hexal/Abseamed suspended
In June 2009, Sandoz, the generic pharmaceuticals division of Novartis, and its subsidiary Hexal, temporarily had to suspend continuation of their clinical study into the safety of subcutaneous application of the epoetin alfa follow-on product HX575 recombinant human erythropoietin alfa for patients with renal anaemia.
China to globalise its successful domestic biosimilars market
The fearsome darling of the pharmaceutical industry, China, has marketers salivating over the 20%-plus annual growth, which could position the country as the world’s third-largest pharmaceutical market by 2020. Researchers are also gushing over the local clinical research organisations and the compounds they churn out. The Chinese government proclaimed that biotechnology will be a key pillar industry, and the State Council announced a two-year US$9.2 billion (Euros 6.4 billion) technology development plan earlier this year.
US House panel adopts 12 years’ biologicals exclusivity
The powerful US House Committee on Energy and Commerce (HCEC) has voted to give branded biological drugs 12 years’ market exclusivity from generic competition, but also to ban ‘pay-for-delay’ settlements.
Biosimilars to be held up 0 to 13.5 years under new US bill
A bill submitted to the US Senate proposes granting up to thirteen and half years of exclusivity to biological drugs. Under the plan, the branded products would receive at least nine years of exclusivity, plus additional time depending on potential innovations made to the drug.
Current European biosimilars market may suggest US threat to biotech will be limited
Though the threat of biosimilars is a hot topic in the US biotech market, their introduction in Europe may reveal that their effects will be limited.
Dutch health insurers obtain biosimilars green light
Health insurers in The Netherlands are allowed to include biosimilars in their preference policies, the Dutch health ministry has confirmed for the first time, signalling Europe's growing acceptance of these products.
Biotech drugs need adequate patent protection
The US government could establish “a properly constructed biosimilars pathway” by providing original developers of biotech drugs with at least 12 years of intellectual property protection to allow them to recover their investments in such treatments, writes former Vermont Governor, Mr Howard Dean, in his commentary. Two bills for follow-on biologics introduced in the House and Senate "include a balanced approach that protects patient safety and encourages research that helps bring new, more advanced treatments – and even cures – to patients around the world," Mr Dean writes.
