Biosimilars/Research
Biosimilars in Belgium: increasing competition
Competition following the entry of biosimilars is still limited in Belgium, which is mirrored in low biosimilar market shares. Although (short-term) cost savings are realized by the implementation of mandatory price reductions on originator medicines (and obtaining high biosimilar market shares should thus not be a goal in itself), biosimilars can play a key role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Belgian off-patent biologicals market.
Positive phase I results for Innovent’s ipilimumab copy biological
China-based Innovent Biologics (Innovent) announced on 3 June 2020 positive phase I results for its candidate ipilimumab copy biological, IBI310.
Successfully transitioning patients with IBD to biosimilars
Pharmacists and physicians from the Boston Medical Center describe the successful transition of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using the originator infliximab biological, Remicade, to the infliximab biosimilar, Inflectra (infliximab-dyyb) [1].
EULAR recommendations for DMARDs in rheumatoid arthritis
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) has updated its recommendations on the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) [1].
Positive phase Ib results for TYVYT + bevacizumab copy biological IBI305
China-based Innovent Biologics (Innovent) announced on 1 June 2020 positive results for a phase I trial of its candidate bevacizumab copy biological, IBI305, in combination with TYVYT (sintilimab injection) in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, which is the most common form of liver cancer.
Clinical equivalence in oncology biosimilar trials
Researchers from the US propose using restricted mean survival time (RMST) rather than the overall response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) in clinical trials evaluating the equivalence of biosimilars [1].
Use of biosimilar infliximab gives savings for patients
Canadian researchers carried out a cost-utility analysis of switching from reference to biosimilar infliximab compared to maintaining reference infliximab in adult patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). From this analysis they found that using biosimilar infliximab resulted in cost savings for patients [1].
Patients’ perceptions of switching to biosimilars
A patient’s characteristics make them more likely to have negative perceptions about switching to biosimilars, according to a study by researchers from New Zealand [1].
Clover starts phase III trial for etanercept copy biological in China
At the end of December 2019, Clover Biopharmaceuticals (Clover), a Chinese company focused on biological therapies, announced the start of a phase III trial of their etanercept copy biological (SCB-808), a proposed copy biological to originator biological Enbrel (etanercept).
Positive phase I results for Qilu’s bevacizumab copy biological
Positive results were reported from a phase I trial of a bevacizumab copy biological, QL1101, which the authors say is ‘the first study to compare the pharmacokinetics of QL1101, a proposed bevacizumab [copy biological], with Avastin’ [1].
