The Indonesian Food and Drugs Authority (BPOM) approved Bevagen, a bevacizumab biosimilar developed by Innovent in China, in June 2022.

Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) by blocking the action of vascular endothelial growth factor-alpha (VEGF-A). Bevacizumab can therefore slow the growth of new blood vessels in tumours and is used to treat various cancers, including colorectal, lung, breast, glioblastoma, kidney and ovarian [1].

The bevacizumab biosimilar has been approved for five indications including metastatic colorectal cancer, locally recurrent or metastatic triple negative breast cancer, advanced, metastatic, or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer, and cervical cancer. It is to be marketed under the name Bevagen and is likely to be the first antibody biosimilar developed and produced in China to be marketed in Indonesia. The product is known as Byvasda in China [2], and has been approved for six indications including advanced non-small cell lung cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer, adult recurrent glioblastoma, advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, advanced ovarian cancer and advanced cervical cancer.

Innovent and Etana entered their partnership to bring Bevagen to market in Indonesia in 2021 [3].

Following the first quarter of 2022, Coherus BioSciences announced it has discontinued development of a bevacizumab biosimilar candidate in partnership with Innovent. The deal was formed in 2020 and Coherus was to have the development and commercialization rights of the biosimilar in any dosage form and presentation in the US and Canada. Coherus has cited COVID-19 as the main reason for ending the partnership.

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References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biocon: cancer biosimilar launch in Canada and US$90 million Malaysia deal [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2022 Jul 29]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/news/biocon-cancer-biosimilar-launch-in-canada-and-us-90-million-malaysia-deal
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. China approves sintilimab plus bevacizumab copy biological Byvasda [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2022 Jul 29]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/biosimilars/news/china-approves-sintilimab-plus-bevacizumab-copy-biological-byvasda
3. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Innovent makes deal for bevacizumab copy biological in Indonesia [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2022 Jul 29]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/pharma-news/Innovent-makes-deal-for-bevacizumab-copy-biological-in-Indonesia

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