Biosimilars
FDA BLA updates from Celltrion and Accord
In January 2024, Celltrion submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for CT-P47, a biosimilar candidate of the reference product Actemra ( tocilizumab). In addition, Accord BioPharma, announced that the FDA accepted its BLA for DMB-311, a biosimilar to Stelara (ustekinumab), approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.
Brazil advances in follow-on biologicals/biosimilars approvals, trailing Europe
Brazil is the fourth-largest market in terms of approved follow-on biological medications worldwide. As of May 2023, Brazil has approved 52 follow-on biological medicines [1] and approximately 30 biological products awaiting testing or already being tested by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency, ANVISA (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária) [2].
FDA approves pegfilgrastim biosimilar Udenyca OnBody autoinjector
On 26 December 2023, Coherus BioSciences announced the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of Udenyca OnBody, an on-body injector (OBI) presentation of Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv), a pegfilgrastim biosimilar administered the day after chemotherapy to decrease the incidence of infection as manifested by febrile neutropenia.
Insurer perspective on increasing biosimilar uptake in Canada
In November 2023, Canada’s Prince Edward Island (PEI) became the 11th Canadian jurisdiction to announce the adoption of biosimilars switching policies [1-10]. This follows the trend in Canada, to try to increase the uptake of biosimilars.
FDA approves bevacizumab biosimilar Avzivi
On 6 December 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved China–based manufacturer Bio-Thera Solutions’ bevacizumab biosimilar (BAT1706), Avzivi (bevacizumab-tnjn). This product will be marketed globally by Sandoz.
CVS Caremark removes Humira in the US and Sandoz launches Hyrimoz in Europe
It has been announced that the US’ CSV Caremark, a CVS Health company and one of the country’s largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), will remove AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab), from its major national commercial formularies effective 1 April 2024, in favour of biosimilar options. In Europe, Sandoz has launched its biosimilar Hyrimoz (adalimumab), a citrate-free high-concentration formulation (HCF) indicated for all conditions of the reference medicine.
EC approval of trastuzumab biosimilar Herwenda
The European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for trastuzumab biosimilar Herwenda on 15 November 2023. The biosimilar of Herwenda is developed by EirGenix, Inc.
EC approval of first ustekinumab biosimilar Uzpruvo
On 5 January 2024, the European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for the first ustekinumab biosimilar Uzpruvo (AVT04). The biosimilar of Uzpruvo is developed by Iceland-based biosimilar manufacturer Alvotech.
EMA recommends approval of ranibizumab biosimilar Rimmyrah
The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use announced on 9 November 2023 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for Rimmyrah (ranibizumab), a biosimilar that references ophthalmology drug, Lucentis.
FDA approves Zymfentra and advances for Yuflyma in the US
On 23 October 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Celltrion’s Zymfentra (infliximab-dyyb) biosimilar as the first subcutaneous (SC) formulation of infliximab. In addition, Celltrion USA signed a contract with Ventegra to add Yuflyma (adalimumab-aaty) as a preferred formulary product in both public and private insurance markets.
