Biosimilars
China accepts Bio-Thera’s application for tocilizumab copy biological BAT1806
China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has accepted a marketing authorization application for Bio-Thera Solutions’ (Bio-Thera) copy biological of tocilizumab, an immunosuppressant used in the treatment of arthritis.
Advances for Samsung Bioepis’ eculizumab and trastuzumab biosimilars
Samsung Bioepis has announced the completion of its global phase III clinical trials of a biosimilar of Soliris (eculizumab), for treating certain rare blood diseases. In addition, it also presented its results from a five-year follow-up study that showed its biosimilar Ontruzant (trastuzumab) has comparable cardiac safety profiles and long-term efficacy as the originator, Herceptin.
Concerns over Canada’s New Brunswick transition to biosimilars
Several biological medications whose patents have expired will no longer be covered under provincial drug plans of New Brunswick, Canada as of 30 November 2021. These are to be replaced by cheaper biosimilar versions; however, inflammatory disease associations have expressed concerns about the rapid transition.
Biosimilar mAb development – quality similarity considerations
Since 2013, when the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody (mAb) was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the number of approved biosimilar mAbs has been increasing dramatically [1]. The large number of approved biosimilar mAbs in both the European Union (EU) and the US makes the evaluation of these applications possible from a product quality perspective.
Regulation of the registration of biological drugs in Latin America
Biological drugs are defined as products with active ingredients produced from a biological source, whereas a biotechnological product is developed from the isolation of a gene of interest and its cloning [1].
Biosimilars approved in Chile
In Chile, the regulatory body responsible for the approval of biological medicines is the National Drug Agency (Agencia Nacional de Medicamentos, ANAMED), which is part of the Institute of Public Health of Chile (ISP), under the Ministry of Health.
AMD position statement on the use of biocomparables for psoriasis
The Mexican Academy of Dermatology (AMD) is a non-profit civil association founded in 1952 and formed by a group of relevant dermatologists dedicated to sharing experiences and keeping up to date with the latest advances in research. This group has developed the following position statement on biosimilars for psoriasis.
Australia’s PBAC recommends unrestricted benefit listing for rituximab biosimilars
Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing for the rituximab biosimilars Riximyo and Truxima be changed to ‘Unrestricted Benefit listings’.
Biosimilars: Promises made. Promises kept?
Biosimilars are biological products that are highly similar to their reference biologicals. Biosimilars are designed to have comparability with respect to quality, safety and efficacy compared to an already licensed reference biological. Most regulatory agencies, including the European Medicines Agency (EMA), do not require a full clinical dossier for a biosimilar. It is usually possible to carry out one clinical trial in one indication, with the option to extrapolate to other indications of the reference biological [1].
Canada approves filgrastim and insulin aspart biosimilars Nypozi and Kirsty
Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the filgrastim and insulin aspart biosimilars Nypozi and Kirsty.
