Samsung Bioepis and Eden Biologics announce new biosimilars trials

Generics and biosimilars Initiative

Building trust in cost-effective treatments

Sign up
eng / esp

Samsung Bioepis and Eden Biologics announce new biosimilars trials

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 02/04/2021 0 Post your comment

In early 2021, Samsung Bioepic and Eden Biologics announced advances in the clinical trials of their respective ustekinumab and denosumab biosimilars.

Samsung Bioepis’ ustekinumab biosimilar
On 1 March 2021, Samsung Bioepis announced the start of a phase I clinical trial for its proposed biosimilar of Janssen’s Stelara (ustekinumab).

The ustekinumab originator has been approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis and different forms of psoriatic arthritis.

Samsung’s latest phase I clinical trial for its SB17 (ustekinumab) biosimilar is a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel group, single-dose study to compare the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of Stelara and SB17 in healthy male volunteers. Samsung joins two other Korean biosimilars companies, Celltron Healthcare and Dong-A ST, in the development ustekinumab biosimilars [1]. It is hoped that the biosimilar products can be successfully approved for launch following expiration of Stelara’s patents in the US in 2023 and in Europe in 2024.

Samsung’s ustekinumab biosimilar is one of several undergoing clinical development by the company in 2021. One of these is SB16 (denosumab), a biosimilar of Amgen’s Prolia, a monoclonal antibody treatment for osteoporosis, which is undergoing simultaneous phase I and III trials [2, 3]. In addition, the phase III trials of SB11 (ranibizumab), a biosimilar of Genentech’s Lucentis used to treat certain types of eye disorder, demonstrated equivalence with the originator in November 2020 [3].

Eden Biologics’ denosumab biosimilar
Eden Biologics announced completion of enrolment for their phase I comparative PK clinical trial of their denosumab biosimilar (EB1001). The trial was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, single-dose, three-arm study which compared the biosimilar to Prolia in Australia and New Zealand [4]. The company plans to initiate the global phase III later in 2021.

A number of other biologicals companies are also developing denosumab biosimilars [4]. It is hoped that, together with those developed by Eden and Samsung, the denosumab biosimilars will enable increased access to this life-changing drug product.

Taiwan-based Eden Biologics was formerly JHL Biotech. The company changed its name on 19 February 2021, to reflect their commitment to produce affordable medicines for all patients in need and their evolving expertise in driving innovations needed to develop high-quality biologicals.

Samsung Bioepic makes deals for copy biologicals in China

LATIN AMERICAN FORUM – Coming soon! To further enhance the objectives of GaBI in sharing information and knowledge that ensure policies supportive of safe biosimilars use, we are pleased to announce that we will be launching a new section on GaBI Online and GaBI Journal, the ‘Latin American Forum’ (in Spanish) featuring the latest news and updates on research and developments in generic and biosimilar medicines in Latin America. Register to receive the GaBI Latin American Forum newsletter. Inform colleagues and friends of this new initiative. LATIN AMERICAN FORUM – Próximamente! Para fomentar los objetivos de GaBI sobre la difusión de información y conocimiento sobre las políticas de apoyo que garantizan el uso seguro de medicamentos biosimilares, nos complace anunciar el lanzamiento de una nueva sección en GaBI Online y GaBI Journal, el ‘Latin American Forum’ (en español), que presentará las últimas noticias y actualizaciones en investigación y desarrollo sobre medicamentos genéricos y biosimilares en Latinoamérica. Regístrese para recibir el boletín informativo GaBI Latin American Forum. Informe a colegas y amigos sobre esta nueva iniciativa.

References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Korean biosimilars makers pipelines and expansion [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2021 Apr 2]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Pharma-News/Korean-biosimilars-makers-pipelines-and-expansion
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Samsung biosimilars denosumab clinical trials begin while rituximab development is halted [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2021 Apr 2]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Samsung-biosimilars-denosumab-clinical-trials-begin-while-rituximab-development-is-halted
3. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biosimilar advances for Samsung Bioepis [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2021 Apr 2]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Biosimilar-advances-for-Samsung-Bioepis
4. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biosimilars of denosumab [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2021 Apr 2]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Biosimilars-of-denosumab

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.