Figure 1: Global biosimilars value originator by region

Source: IQVIA MIDAS Q1 2017, Pipeline: July 2017

Asia, and in particular India, has long been a player in the generics market. Therefore, it should perhaps not come as a surprise that Indian players have some of the biggest and most advanced pipelines for biosimilars, see Figure 2.

Figure 2: Global biosimilar pipeline by manufacturer (phase III to approved)

Source: IQVIA MIDAS Q1 2017, Pipeline: July 2017

Just some examples of recent biosimilar approvals from South Korean companies include the approval of adalimumab biosimilar Hadlima (SB5) and trastuzumab biosimilar Samfenet (SB3) from Samsung Bioepis in September and November 2017, respectively [2]. In March 2018, South Korea-based GC Pharma (formerly Green Cross) received approval for its insulin glargine biosimilar Glarzia [3]. Then, in the same month, LG Chem (part of LG Life Sciences) also received approval for its etanercept biosimilar, Eucept [4].

India has, by far, demonstrated the greatest acceptance of ‘similar biologics’. According to our research at GaBI Online, the first ‘similar biologic’ was approved and marketed in India for a hepatitis B vaccine in 2000. In recent years over 50 biopharmaceutical products have been approved for marketing in India, with more than half of them being ‘similar biologics’ [5].

Conflict of interest
The author of the presentation [1] did not provide any conflict of interest statement.

Related article
Developing biosimilars

References
1.  Troein P. Trends in the development of the biosimilar market. 16th European Medicines Conference – Biosimilar Medicines: unlocking the full potential of biologics; 26-27 April 2018; London, UK.
2.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Adalimumab and trastuzumab biosimilars approved in South Korea [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2018 Jun 29]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Adalimumab-and-trastuzumab-biosimilars-approved-in-South-Korea
3.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Insulin glargine biosimilar gains South Korean approval [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2018 Jun 29]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Insulin-glargine-biosimilar-gains-South-Korean-approval
4.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biosimilar etanercept Eucept approved in South Korea [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2018 Jun 29]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Biosimilar-etanercept-Eucept-approved-in-South-Korea
5.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. ‘Similar biologics’ approved and marketed in India [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2018 Jun 29]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Similar-biologics-approved-and-marketed-in-India

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