Biosimilars
Celltrion: advances for Yuflyma and Vegzelma biosimilars
In the first half of 2023, South-Korea based Celltrion Biologics announced the approval of their Yuflyma (adalimumab-aaty) biosimilar in the US, the winning of a bid to supply Italy and Belgium with bevacizumab biosimilar Vegzelma.
Alkem launches first cetuximab similar biologic in India
In May 2023, Alkem Oncology announced the launch of Cetuxa, the fist similar biologic of cetuximab used in the treatment of head and neck cancer. The cetuximab originator was developed by Merck and is sold under the brand name Erbitux.
GADECCU presents a new positioning on biosimilars
The Argentine Group for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (Grupo Argentino de Enfermedad de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa, GADECCU) has released an updated position statement on biosimilars, particularly regarding the alternate use of innovative biological drugs and biosimilars during the same chronic treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Low switch-back for patients treated with Avsola for IBD
A study has reported low switch-back rates for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) switched from the reference infliximab product to Amgen’s biosimilar Avsola (infliximab-axxq), ABP 710 [1].
EMA recommends approval of eculizumab biosimilar Epysqli
The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 31 March 2023 that it had adopted a positive opinion for Epysqli.
Joint statement on biosimilars in immune-mediated diseases in Spain
A study conducted and published by Monte-Boquet E et al. aimed to improve knowledge and use of biosimilar medicines in immune-mediated diseases, and to produce a unified framework for the use of biosimilars [1].
High mannose glycans in biosimilars and their pharmacokinetic impact
A study conducted by Welch J et al. assessed the measurement, evaluation and potential for high mannose glycans to impact the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), based on data submitted in 21 applications reviewed and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They also analysed reproducibility data of the glycan values for a subset of programmes within a reference product class. This reproducibility assessment enabled a broader cross-programme comparison of whether observed differences in high mannose between a proposed biosimilar and its reference product translate into PK differences.
New indication for Cosentyx (secukinumab) biological: hidradenitis suppurativa
The European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use adopted a positive opinion on 26 April 2023 recommending Novartis' Cosentyx (secukinumab) to treat active moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in adults.
An update on the joint EMA-HMA statement on interchangeability of biosimilar
On 21 April 2023, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) issued an updated joint statement on the interchangeability of biosimilars approved in the EU.
Biosimilars in Southern European Hospital Markets: barriers and determinants of uptake
A recent publication by Barcina Lacosta et al. reflected on the need to understand market dynamics generated following biosimilars availability in Southern Europe, emphasizing that the competitive potential of biosimilars can be further deployed [1]. Considering the country-, setting-, and product-specific nature of biosimilar uptake patterns [2-5], the authors focused the analysis on hospital tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor markets in Italy, Portugal and Spain [1].
