FDA approves trastuzumab biosimilar Trazimera

Biosimilars/News | Posted 22/03/2019 post-comment0 Post your comment

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).

Trastuzumab Herceptin V13D12

Pfizer submitted its biosimilar application to FDA for its trastuzumab biosimilar candidate, Trazimera (PF 05280014), back in September 2017 [1]. The agency, however, initially rejected the application in April 2018, requesting ‘additional technical information’ [2].

Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that interferes with the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neu receptor. In some cancers, notably certain types of breast and gastric cancers, HER2 is overexpressed, and causes cancer cells to reproduce uncontrollably. Trastuzumab is therefore used to treat certain breast and gastric cancers.

Trazimera (trastuzumab-qyyp) has been approved for the treatment of HER2 overexpressing breast cancer and HER2 overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. It is the fifth biosimilar from Pfizer to be approved for marketing in the US.

The FDA approval was based on review of a comprehensive data package, which, according to Pfizer, ‘demonstrated a high degree of similarity between Trazimera and the originator product’. The data package included results from Pfizer’s phase III REFLECTIONS B327-02 study, which showed that the biosimilar is non-inferior to Herceptin [3]. This study, according to Pfizer, ‘showed clinical equivalence, finding a high degree of similarity and no clinically meaningful differences between Trazimera and the originator product in patients with first line HER2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer’.

Pfizer also received approval for Trazimera in the European Union in July 2018 [4] and in Japan in September 2018 [5].

Trazimera has been approved as a biosimilar, not as an interchangeable product. According to the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCI Act), only a biological that has been approved as interchangeable may be substituted for the reference product without the intervention of the healthcare provider who prescribed the reference product.

Related article
FDA approves first rituximab biosimilar Truxima

References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Positive phase III results for Pfizer’s trastuzumab biosimilar [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2019 Mar 22]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/Research/Positive-phase-III-results-for-Pfizer-s-trastuzumab-biosimilar 
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. FDA rejects trastuzumab and rituximab biosimilars [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2019 Mar 22]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/FDA-rejects-trastuzumab-and-rituximab-biosimilars 
3. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Trastuzumab biosimilar PF 05280014 non-inferior to Herceptin [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2019 Mar 22]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/Research/Trastuzumab-biosimilar-PF-05280014-non-inferior-to-Herceptin 
4. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Adalimumab and trastuzumab biosimilars gain EC approval [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2019 Mar 22]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Adalimumab-and-trastuzumab-biosimilars-gain-EC-approval 
5. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Originator biologicals and biosimilars under attack in UK and Japan [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2019 Mar 22]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Originator-biologicals-and-biosimilars-under-attack-in-UK-and-Japan

Permission granted to reproduce for personal and non-commercial use only. All other reproduction, copy or reprinting of all or part of any ‘Content’ found on this website is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. Contact the publisher to obtain permission before redistributing.

Copyright – Unless otherwise stated all contents of this website are © 2019 Pro Pharma Communications International. All Rights Reserved.

Source: Pfizer, US FDA

comment icon Comments (0)
Post your comment
Related content
FDA approves filgrastim biosimilar Nypozi
Filgrastim Grastofil V13H23
Biosimilars/News Posted 04/09/2024
FDA approves third aflibercept biosimilar Ahzantive
Bevacizumab VEGF Lucentis V21D02MN
Biosimilars/News Posted 13/08/2024
China approves Simcare’s cetuximab beta Enlituo
Cancer Cell V13I20
Biosimilars/News Posted 30/07/2024
Most viewed articles
About GaBI
Home/About GaBI Posted 06/08/2009
EU guidelines for biosimilars
EMA logo 1 V13C15
Home/Guidelines Posted 08/10/2010