Biosimilars/News
Samsung to launch biosimilars by 2015 at half the current prices
South Korean electronics giant Samsung told the Financial Times that it plans to launch biosimilars by 2015 at half the prices that patients in Europe and the US currently pay.
Biocon opens new research centre
Indian biosimilars major Biocon, announced on 5 April 2012 the opening of a new state-of-the-art Integrated Research and Development Centre in Bangalore, India.
EMA publishes procedural advice for biosimilars
On 11 April 2012, EMA published a new document on regulatory procedural advice for biosimilars.
Fujifilm and Kyowa launch biosimilars joint venture
The Japanese digital camera maker Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm) and biotech firm Kyowa Hakko Kirin (Kyowa) announced on 27 March 2012 that they have launched their biosimilars joint venture, which will initially focus on the development of biosimilar adalimumab.
Dr Reddy’s looks to biosimilars for growth
Generics giant Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (Dr Reddy’s) has been betting big on biosimilars and it seems that the risk is paying off, as the company announced record profits for the last quarter of 2011.
GE Healthcare expands biologicals business
GE Healthcare, the health business of General Electric, announced on 7 March 2012 that it had reached an agreement to acquire biologicals manufacturer Xcellerex.
European biosimilars market to reach almost US$4 billion by 2017
According to researchers at Frost & Sullivan, the European market for biosimilars will experience strong growth in the coming years due to patent expiries of blockbuster biologicals between 2010 and 2017. Cost containment strategies being implemented by governments and healthcare service providers are also given credit for shifting sales towards cheaper biosimilars.
Pfizer and Biocon’s biosimilar insulin deal is off
Pfizer, the world’s largest pharma company, and Indian biosimilars major Biocon announced on 12 March 2012 that they had decided to end their biosimilar insulin deal due to ‘differing priorities’.
Biosimilar alliance between Celerion and Ricerca
Contract research organisations (CROs) Celerion and Ricerca Biosciences announced on 29 February 2012 the formation of an integrated service solution for the development of biosimilar products.
FDA discusses biosimilars guidance
FDA issued its long-awaited guidance for biosimilar applications on 10 February 2012 in the form of three draft guidance documents [1]. In a webinar on 15 February 2012 FDA discussed some of the issues surrounding biosimilar products and expanded on some of the requirements contained within the guidance documents.
