Biosimilar adalimumab application submitted to EMA

Biosimilares/Novedades | Posted 11/12/2015 post-comment0 Post your comment

Biotech giant Amgen announced on 4 December 2015 that it had submitted an application for marketing approval for its adalimumab biosimilar (ABP 501) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Application V15a16

Amgen believes the submission to be the first adalimumab biosimilar application submitted to EMA and says that it also represents the company’s first biosimilar to be submitted for approval in the European Union.

The news follows Amgen’s submission of its biosimilar adalimumab application in the US [1].

Adalimumab is a human monoclonal antibody that treats autoimmune diseases by inhibiting tumour necrosis factor (TNF), a soluble inflammatory cytokine.  Adalimumab binds to TNF-alpha (TNF-α), preventing it from activating TNF receptors, which cause the inflammatory reactions associated with autoimmune diseases.

The originator product, AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab) is indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid, juvenile idiopathic and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis and ulcerative colitis.

Humira had worldwide sales of almost US$12.5 billion in 2014. The patents on Humira expire in the US in December 2016 and in Europe in April 2018 [2].

Amgen’s submission includes analytical, clinical and pharmacokinetic data. Phase III comparative efficacy and safety studies were conducted in both moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis [3]. The phase III studies met their primary endpoints, which Amgen claims shows ‘clinical equivalence to adalimumab’ [4]. Safety and immunogenicity of ABP 501 were also comparable to adalimumab, according to Amgen. Data to support the transition of adalimumab patients to ABP 501 are also included in the submission.

Related article
FDA accepts application for pegfilgrastim biosimilar

Biosimilars of adalimumab

References
1.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Amgen submits biosimilar adalimumab application to FDA [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2015 Dec 11]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Amgen-submits-biosimilar-adalimumab-application-to-FDA
2.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biologicals patent expiries [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2015 Dec 11]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Biologicals-patent-expiries
3.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Amgen starts another phase III trial for biosimilar adalimumab [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2015 Dec 11]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Amgen-starts-another-phase-III-trial-for-biosimilar-adalimumab
4.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Positive phase III data for Amgen adalimumab biosimilar [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2015 Dec 11]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/Research/Positive-phase-III-data-for-Amgen-adalimumab-biosimilar

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 © 2015 Pro Pharma Communications International. All Rights Reserved.

Source: Amgen

comment icon Comments (0)
Post your comment
Most viewed articles
Sobre GaBI
INICIO/Sobre GaBI Posted 06/08/2009
EU guidelines for biosimilars
EMA logo 1 V13C15
INICIO/Directrices Posted 08/10/2010