Biosimilars/General
Australian diabetes organizations issue biosimilars position statement
In June 2020, the Australian Diabetes Society, Australian Diabetes Educators Association and Diabetes Australia, published a position statement on the use of biosimilar ‘insulins’ for diabetes.
Sustainable market scorecard represents gold-standard for biosimilar sustainability
IQVIA Institute and Medicines for Europe have recently launched Country Scorecards for Biosimilar Sustainability in 12 European countries [1]. The scorecards assess the level of competition, price evolution and volume development for seven key biological molecules – adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, insulin glargine, insulin lispro, rituximab and trastuzumab – in each country. They also present a sustainability assessment and detail positive policy elements, challenges and solutions for each country.
FDA updates Purple Book database
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its searchable Purple Book database to include allergenic, cellular and gene therapy, haematologic and vaccine products.
Country scorecards show biosimilar sustainability
Biosimilars are an important component of sustainable health systems as they provide alternatives to originator biological products once those products no longer have market exclusivity. Europe has the world’s largest biosimilar market, accounting for approximately 60% of the global market. European countries therefore serve as valuable examples of successful approaches to biosimilar policy [1]. Nevertheless, across Europe, the level of competition among biosimilars differs widely by country and by molecule, as does the extent of their use and their impact on pricing. Much of this variability can be linked to differences in health system policy elements that contribute to sustainable market conditions for biosimilars.
Duopharma to establish Malaysia’s first commercial biosimilar facility
Malaysia-based manufacturer Duopharma Biotech aims to establish Malaysia’s first commercial biosimilar production facility. The company is also working to achieve halal certification for its erythropoietin biosimilar, Erysaa.
WHO prequalifies Celltrion’s trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma
The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified Celltrion Healthcare’s second biosimilar, a trastuzumab biosimilar sold as Herzuma.
Clinical trials for trastuzumab biosimilars
Roche’s originator trastuzumab biological (Herceptin) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 1998 and by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in August 2000 [1]. The patents on Herceptin expired in Europe in July 2014 and in the US in June 2019 [1]. This has led to biosimilars of trastuzumab being developed.
Biosimilar pipelines for Korean firms looking healthy
Korean companies are becoming more and important both in the country but also worldwide when it comes to developing biosimilars.
New Zealand IBD charity releases position statement on biosimilars
The charity Crohn’s and Colitis New Zealand has released a position statement on biosimilars, although there are not yet any biosimilars for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on the market in New Zealand.
Switching from biologicals to biosimilars in Australia
Switching* patients from originator biologicals to biosimilars has been a topic of keen interest in recent years across the globe, as more biosimilars have emerged onto the market. Authors from Shelston Intellectual Property discussed the unique approach that Australia has taken to switching.
