Biosimilars/News
FDA approves etanercept biosimilar Eticovo
Korean biosimilars maker Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) announced on 25 April 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its etanercept biosimilar.
Intas launches trastuzumab similar biologic in India at 65% discount
India-based generics maker Intas Pharmaceuticals (Intas) announced on 9 April 2019 the launch of its product Eleftha, a ‘similar biologic’ of trastuzumab, in India. The new product, claims the company, will bring down the cost of breast cancer treatment by nearly 65%.
Rituximab biosimilar Truxima approved in Canada
Teva Canada Innovation, a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, announced on 10 April 2019 that Health Canada had approved its rituximab biosimilar Truxima. This marks the first rituximab biosimilar to be approved by the Canadian medicines’ regulator.
EC approval for adalimumab biosimilar Idacio
Fresenius Kabi, the generics unit of German healthcare giant Fresenius, announced on 3 April 2019 that it had received European Commission (EC) approval for its adalimumab biosimilar Idacio (MSB11455).
Sandoz resubmits pegfilgrastim biosimilar to FDA
Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, announced on 3 April 2019 that the regulatory submission for its proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar (LA-EP2006) had been accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Japanese approval for Lupin’s etanercept biosimilar
Indian generics manufacturer Lupin Pharmaceuticals (Lupin) announced on 26 March 2019 that its joint venture YL Biologics and Lupin (through its Japanese subsidiary, Kyowa Pharmaceutical Industry) had received approval from Japan’s medicines regulatory agency, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), for its etanercept biosimilar YLB113 in Japan.
Bio-Thera advances bevacizumab and tocilizumab copy biologicals
China-based Bio‑Thera Solutions (Bio‑Thera) has made a licensing agreement for its bevacizumab copy biological and has started a phase III trial for its tocilizumab copy biological.
FDA approves trastuzumab biosimilar Trazimera
Pharma giant Pfizer announced on 11 March 2019 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved its biosimilar version of Roche’s Herceptin (trastuzumab).
China approves rituximab copy biological
China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), announced on 22 February 2019 that it had approved Hanlikon, a rituximab copy biological.
UK’s NICE recommends pertuzumab with biosimilar trastuzumab
The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended originator pertuzumab with intravenous biosimilar trastuzumab and chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer.
