Biosimilars/Research

Improving uptake of biosimilars in Spain

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 29/04/2016

Ainhoa Aranguren Oyarzábal and colleagues from the Madrid Health Service (MHS), Spain, investigated how efforts to improve the uptake of biosimilars in the country have been working.

Assessing the immunogenicity of monoclonal antibodies

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 04/12/2015

Safety is a major concern when it comes to biologicals (including biosimilars) and the most critical safety concern is immunogenicity. This is especially important in monoclonal antibody (mAb) biologicals, which are large molecules with complex structures and functions and which represent the largest class of biologicals [1].

Sharing biosimilars substitution information with patients critical

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 22/11/2013

On 12 October 2013, California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed legislation known as SB 598. Some believed this bill would have impeded access to biosimilars, but others believe it would have supported and strengthened patient-provider communication [1].

More immunogenicity data needed for biosimilar mAbs

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 04/10/2013

Eight therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) will lose EU and US patent protection before 2020, making way for a new class of biosimilar. The promise of biosimilar mAbs is enticing, but these are more complex molecules than current biosimilars and it is unclear how their similarity with originator mAbs will be tested.

The future of biosimilar mAbs in Europe

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 27/09/2013

Biosimilars – products that are similar to originator biological medicinal products – have had a positive impact on healthcare systems. But it takes up to four years following market approval before biosimilars are accepted by the clinical community and by the people holding the purse strings. Now, a new class of biosimilar –monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) – is set to challenge the system further, writes Professor Andrea Laslop of the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety [1].

Immunogenicity of biologicals: the role of post-translational modifications

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 17/06/2016

Although produced under strict quality control(s) nascent endogenous proteins and glycoproteins (P/GP) are structurally heterogeneous and subject to further structural changes throughout their in vivo life cycle. A nascent polypeptide chain may be subject to co-translational modifications (CTMs) as it is extruded from the ribosome tunnel, e.g. the addition of oligosaccharide; edited for correct folding and initial oligosaccharide processing within the endoplasmic reticulum and subject to post-translational modifications (PTMs) during passage through the Golgi apparatus. The functional activity of a P/GP may be dependent on further chemical modifications (CMs), e.g. deamidation, enzymatic cleavage. These heterogeneities are compounded when determining the structure of a purified P/GP because further CMs may be introduced during its isolation, purification and characterization [1].

Efficacy, Extrapolation, Interchangeability V16E25LB

Extrapolation of indications in biosimilars: infliximab

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 09/01/2015

Physicians may not be well informed about the scientific concept underlying the principle of extrapolating* indications for biosimilars. This in turn may lead them to distrust biosimilars, leading to a lower than expected uptake in Europe, especially in extrapolated indications. Members of the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Working Party on Similar Biological (Biosimilar) Medicinal Products (BMWP) address these concerns using extrapolation of indications in biosimilar infliximab as an example [1].

Non-clinical study shows similarity of biosimilar etanercept

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 29/11/2013

The results of a non-clinical study of a candidate biosimilar etanercept (GP2015) has shown the similarity, with respect to in vitro and in vivo characteristics, of the biosimilar (GP2015) and its reference product, Amgen’s blockbuster autoimmune disease treatment Enbrel (etanercept).

Assessing structural comparability using NMR

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/02/2017

Several biologicals will lose patent protection within the next few years, opening up the market for biosimilars [1]. According to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, biosimilar applicants should demonstrate biosimilarity using a stepwise approach, which includes structural and functional characterization, animal toxicity, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, immunogenicity, and clinical safety and effectiveness [2]. FDA expects extensive characterization of the proposed biosimilar and the reference product using state-of-the-art analytical technology including analysis of the protein (primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary structure as well as post-translational modifications).

Biosimilars and treatment of IBD in Italy

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/02/2017

In February 2015, the patent for infliximab expired in Italy. Now, biosimilar CT-P13 products (Remsima and Inflectra), the first monoclonal antibody biosimilar of infliximab, are on the Italian market. In their recent paper, Annese et al. [1], assessed gastroenterologist’s view of the use of CT-P13 for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Italy.