Biosimilars approved in Europe

Biosimilars/General | Posted 08/07/2011 post-comment2 Post your comment

Last update: 12 May 2023

In the European Union (EU), a legal framework for approving biosimilars was established in 2003. This framework means that biosimilars can only be approved centrally via the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and not nationally.

Biosimilars V13E10

EMA first developed guidelines for the approval of biosimilars via an abbreviated registration process during 2005 to 2006, and since then EMA has developed many general and specific guidelines for biosimilars [1].

Omnitrope (somatropin) was the first product approved in the EU as a biosimilar in 2006 [2]. To date, EMA has recommended the approval of 93 biosimilars within the product classes of: 1) human growth hormone; 2) granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; 3) erythropoiesis stimulating agent; 4) insulin; 5) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); 6) parathyroid hormone; 7) tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-inhibitor; and 8) monoclonal antibodies for use in the EU, see Table 1.

Table 1: EMA approved biosimilars*
Product name Active substance Therapeutic area Authorization date Manufacturer/
Company name
Abasaglar (previously Abasria) insulin glargine Diabetes mellitus 9 Sep 2014 Eli Lilly/Boehringer Ingelheim
Abseamed epoetin alfa Anaemia
Cancer
Chronic kidney failure
27 Aug 2007 Medice Arzneimittel Pütter
Accofil filgrastim Neutropenia 17 Sep 2014 Accord Healthcare
Abevmy bevacizumab Breast cancer
Carcinoma of the cervix
Colon cancer
Fallopian tube cancer
Non-small-cell lung carcinoma
Ovarian cancer
Peritoneal cancer
Renal cell cancer
21 Apr 2021 Mylan (now Viatris)
Alymsys bevacizumab Breast cancer
Carcinoma of the cervix
Colon cancer
Fallopian tube cancer
Non-small-cell lung carcinoma
Ovarian cancer
Peritoneal cancer
Renal cell cancer
26 Mar 2021 mAbxience Research
Amgevita adalimumab Ankylosing spondylitis
Crohn’s disease
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative colitis
21 Mar 2017 Amgen
Amsparity adalimumab Ankylosing spondylitis
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Crohn’s disease
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative colitis
Uvetis
13 Feb 2020 Pfizer
Aybintio bevacizumab Breast neoplasms
Colorectal neoplasms
Fallopian tube neoplasms
Non-small-cell lung carcinoma
Ovarian neoplasms
Peritoneal neoplasms
Renal cell carcinoma
Uterine cervical neoplasms
19 Aug 2020 Samsung Bioepis
Bekemv eculizumab Atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) 24 Feb 2023 Amgen
Bemfola follitropin alfa Anovulation (IVF) 26 Mar 2014 Finox Biotech
Benepali etanercept Axial spondyloarthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Plaque psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis 
13 Jan 2016 Samsung Bioepis
Binocrit epoetin alfa Anaemia
Chronic kidney failure
28 Aug 2007 Sandoz
Blitzima rituximab Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukaemia
13 Jul 2017 Celltrion
Byooviz ranibizumab Degenerative myopia
Diabetic retinopathy
Macular edema
Wet macular degeneration
18 Aug 2021 Samsung Bioepis
Cegfila (previously Pegfilgrastim Mundipharma) pegfilgrastim Neutropenia 19 Dec 2019 Mundipharma Biologics
Enoxaparin BECAT enoxaparin sodium Venous thromboembolism 24 Mar 2017 Laboratorios ROVI
Epoetin alfa Hexal epoetin alfa Anaemia
Cancer
Chronic kidney failure
27 Aug 2007 Hexal
Epysqli eculizumab Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: adult and children CHMP positive opinion 31 Mar 2023  Samsung Bioepis
Erelzi etanercept Ankylosing spondylitis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
23 Jun 2017 Sandoz
Filgrastim Hexal filgrastim Cancer
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Neutropenia
6 Feb 2009 Hexal
Flixabi infliximab Ankylosing spondylitis
Crohn’s disease
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative colitis
26 May 2016 Samsung Bioepis
Fulphila pegfilgrastim Neutropenia 20 Nov 2018 Mylan
Grastofil filgrastim Neutropenia 17 Oct 2013 Apotex
Grasustek pegfilgrastim Neutropenia 20 Jun 2019 Juta Pharma (USV)
Hefiya adalimumab Ankylosing spondylitis
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriasis
Uveitis
26 Jul 2018 Sandoz
Herzuma trastuzumab Early breast cancer
Metastatic breast cancer
Metastatic gastric cancer
8 Feb 2018 Celltrion Healthcare
Hukyndra adalimumab Ankylosing spondylitis
Crohn’s Disease
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative Colitis
Uveitis
15 Nov 2021 Alvotech/Stada Artnimettel
Hulio adalimumab Ankylosing spondylitis
Crohn’s Disease
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative Colitis
Uveitis
17 Sep 2018 Mylan/Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics
Hyrimoz adalimumab Ankylosing spondylitis
Crohn’s Disease
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Papulosquamous skin disease
Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative Colitis
Uveitis
26 Jul 2018 Sandoz
Idacio adalimumab Ankylosing spondylitis
Arthritis
Crohn’s Disease
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative colitis
Uveitis
2 Apr 2019 Fresenius Kabi
Imraldi adalimumab Ankylosing spondylitis
Arthritis
Crohn’s Disease
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative colitis
Uveitis
24 Aug 2017 Samsung Bioepis
Inflectra infliximab Ankylosing spondylitis
Crohn’s disease
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative colitis
10 Sep 2013 Hospira (Pfizer)
Inhixa enoxaparin sodium Venous thromboembolism 15 Sep 2016 Techdow Europe
Insulin aspart Sanofi insulin aspart Diabetes mellitus 25 Jun 2020 Sanofi-Aventis
Insulin lispro Sanofi insulin lispro Diabetes mellitus 18 Jul 2017 Sanofi-Aventis
Kanjinti trastuzumab Early breast cancer
Metastatic breast cancer
Metastatic gastric cancer
16 May 2018 Amgen/Allergan
Kirsty (previously Kixelle) insulin aspart Diabetes mellitus 5 February 2021 Biocon/Viatris (formerly Mylan)
Libmyris adalimumab Ankylosing spondylitis
Crohn’s Disease
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative Colitis
Uveitis
12 Nov 2021 Alvotech/Stada Artnimettel
Livogiva teriparatide Osteoporosis 27 Aug 2020 Theramex Ireland
Movymia teriparatide Osteoporosis 11 Jan 2017 Stada Arzneimittel
Mvasi bevacizumab Breast neoplasms Fallopian tube neoplasms
Non-small-cell lung carcinoma
Ovarian neoplasms
Peritoneal neoplasms
Renal cell carcinoma
15 Jan 2018 Amgen
Nepexto etanercept Ankylosing spondylitis
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Spondylarthropathies
25 May 2020 Mylan
Nivestim filgrastim Cancer
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Neutropenia
7 Jun 2010 Hospira (Pfizer)
Nyvepria pegfilgrastim Neutropenia 18 Nov 2020 Pfizer
Ogivri trastuzumab Early breast cancer
Metastatic breast cancer
Metastatic gastric cancer
12 Dec 2018 Biocon/Mylan
Omnitrope somatropin Pituitary dwarfism
Prader-Willi syndrome
Turner syndrome
12 Apr 2006 Sandoz
Onbevzi bevacizumab Breast neoplasms Colorectal neoplasms
Fallopian tube neoplasms
Non-small-cell lung carcinoma
Ovarian neoplasms
Peritoneal neoplasms
Renal cell carcinoma
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
11 Jan 2021 Samsung Bioepis
Ontruzant trastuzumab Early breast cancer
Metastatic breast cancer
Metastatic gastric cancer
15 Nov 2017 Samsung Bioepis
Oyavas bevacizumab Breast cancer
Carcinoma of the cervix
Colon cancer
Fallopian tube cancer
Non-small-cell lung carcinoma
Ovarian cancer
Peritoneal cancer
Renal cell cancer
26 Mar 2021 Stada Arzneimittel
Ovaleap follitropin alfa Anovulation (IVF) 27 Sep 2013 Teva Pharma
Pelgraz pegfilgrastim Neutropenia 21 Sep 2018 Accord Healthcare
Pelmeg pegfilgrastim Neutropenia 20 Nov 2018 Cinfa Biotech/Mundipharma
Ratiograstim filgrastim Cancer
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Neutropenia
15 Sep 2008 Ratiopharm
Remsima infliximab Ankylosing spondylitis
Crohn’s disease
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative colitis
10 Sep 2013 Celltrion
Ranivisio ranibizumab Diabetes complications
Diabetic retinopathy
Macular edema
Wet macular degeneration
25 Aug 2022 Bioeq/Teva Pharma
Retacrit epoetin zeta Anaemia
Autologous blood transfusion
Cancer
Chronic kidney failure
18 Dec 2007 Hospira (Pfizer)
Rixathon rituximab Chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukaemia
Microscopic polyangiitis
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Rheumatoid arthritis
Wegener granulomatosis
15 Jun 2017 Sandoz
Riximyo rituximab Chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukaemia
Microscopic polyangiitis
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Rheumatoid arthritis
Wegener granulomatosis
15 Jun 2017 Sandoz
Ruxience rituximab Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Microscopic polyangiitis
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Rheumatoid arthritis
Pemphigus vulgaris
1 Apr 2020 Pfizer
Semglee insulin glargine Diabetes mellitus 28 Mar 2018 Biocon/Viatris (formerly Mylan)
Silapo epoetin zeta Anaemia
Autologous blood transfusion
Cancer
Chronic kidney failure
18 Dec 2007 Stada Arzneimittel
Sondelbay  teriparatide Osteoporosis 24 Mar 2022 Accord Healthcare
Stimufend  pegfilgrastim Neutropenia 24 Mar 2022 Fresenius Kabi
Terrosa teriparatide Osteoporosis 4 Jan 2017 Gedeon Richter
Tevagrastim filgrastim Cancer
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Neutropenia
15 Sep 2008 Teva Generics
Trazimera trastuzumab Stomach Neoplasms
Breast Neoplasms
26 Jul 2018 Pfizer
Truvelog Mix 30 insulin aspart Diabetes mellitus Apr 2022 Sanofi-Aventis
Truxima rituximab Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Microscopic polyangiitis
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Rheumatoid arthritis
17 Feb 2017 Celltrion Healthcare
Vegzelma  bevacizumab Breast neoplasms
Colorectal neoplasms
Non-small-cell lung carcinoma
Ovarian neoplasms
Renal cell carcinoma
17 Aug 2022 Celltrion Healthcare
Ximluci ranibizumab Diabetes complications
Diabetic retinopathy
Macular edema
Wet macular degeneration
9 Nov 2022 Stada Arzneimittel/Xbrane Biopharma
Yuflyma adalimumab Axial spondyoarthritis
Crohn’s Disease
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative colitis
Uveitis
11 Feb 2021 Celltrion Healthcare
Zarzio filgrastim Cancer
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Neutropenia
6 Feb 2009 Sandoz
Zercepac trastuzumab Stomach Neoplasms
Breast Neoplasms
27 Jul 2020 Accord Healthcare
Zessly infliximab Ankylosing spondylitis
Crohn’s disease
Psoriatic arthritis
psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative colitis
18 May 2018 Sandoz
Ziextenzo pegfilgrastim Neutropenia 22 Nov 2018 Sandoz
Zirabev bevacizumab Breast neoplasms
Colorectal neoplasms
Non-small-cell lung carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma
Uterine cervical neoplasms
14 Feb 2019 Pfizer
*Data updated on 12 May 2023
CHMP: Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use; IVF: in vitro fertilization.
Source: EMA

 

Seventeen biosimilar approvals have been withdrawn after approval, see Table 2:
• four for adalimumab biosimilars: Boehringer Ingelheim’s Cyltezo in January 2019, Amgen’s Solymbic in March 2019, Fresenius Kabi’s Kromeya in December 2019 and Sandoz’s Halimatoz in January 2021
• two for bevacizumab biosimilars: Equidacent from Centus Biotherapeutics in November 2021 and Mylan’s (now Viatris) Lextemy in December 2021
• one for an enoxaparin sodium biosimilar: Pharmathen’s Thorinane in October 2019
• two for filgrastim biosimilars: Filgrastim ratiopharm in April 2011 and CT Arzneimittel’s Biograstim in December 2016
• one for an human insulin biosimilar: Biocon’s Inpremzia in April 2023
• one for an insulin glargine biosimilar: Merck’s Lusduna in October 2018
• one for a pegfilgrastim biosimilar: ERA Consulting’s (Coherus Biosciences) Udenyca in February 2021
• two for rituximab biosimilars: Celltrion’s Rituzena in April 2019 and Celltrion’s Ritemvia in August 2021
• two for somatropin biosimilars: Biopartner’s Valtropin in May 2012 and Somatropin Biopartners in November 2017
• one for a teriparatide biosimilar: Qutavina from EuroGenerics Holdings in January 2018

Table 2: EMA refused/withdrawn biosimilars*
Product name Active substance Therapeutic area Authorization date Manufacturer/
Company name
Alpheon  interferon alfa-2a Chronic hepatitis C Refused 5 Sep 2006 BioPartners
Biograstim filgrastim Cancer
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Neutropenia
15 Sep 2008 
Withdrawn on 22 Dec 2016
CT Arzneimittel
Cyltezo adalimumab Crohn’s disease
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative colitis
Uveitis
10 Nov 2017 Withdrawn on 15 Jan 2019 Boehringer Ingelheim
Epostim epoetin alfa Anaemia Withdrawn 15 Mar 2011 Reliance GeneMedix
Equidacent bevacizumab Breast neoplasms
Colorectal neoplasms
Non-small-cell lung carcinoma
Ovarian neoplasms
Renal cell carcinoma
24 Sep 2020 Withdrawn on 23 Nov 2021 Centus Biotherapeutics
Filgrastim ratiopharm filgrastim Cancer
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Neutropenia
15 Sep 2008
Withdrawn on 20 Apr 2011 
Ratiopharm
Halimatoz adalimumab Ankylosing spondylitis
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Uveitis
26 Jul 2018
Withdrawn on 29 Jan 2021
Sandoz
Inpremzia insulin human  Diabetes 25 Apr 2022
Withdrawn on 20 Apr 2023
 
Kromeya adalimumab Ankylosing spondylitis
Arthritis
Crohn’s Disease
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative colitis
Uveitis
2 Apr 2019
Withdrawn on 17 Dec 2019
Fresenius Kabi
Lextemy bevacizumab Breast cancer
Carcinoma of the cervix
Colon cancer
Fallopian tube cancer
Non-small-cell lung carcinoma
Ovarian cancer
Peritoneal cancer
Renal cell cancer
CHMP positive opinion 25 Feb 2021
Withdrawn on 14 Dec 2021
Mylan (now Viatris)
Lusduna insulin glargine Diabetes 3 Jan 2017
Withdrawn on 29 Oct 2018
Merck (MSD)
Qutavina teriparatide Osteoporosis 27 Aug 2020
Withdrawn on 18 Jan 2021
EuroGenerics Holdings
Ritemvia rituximab Wegener granulomatosis
Microscopic polyangiitis
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
13 Jul 2017
Withdrawn on 16 Aug 2021
Celltrion
Rituximab Mabion rituximab Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Microscopic polyangiitis
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Withdrawn on 16 Mar 2020 Mabion
Rituzena (previously Tuxella) rituximab Wegener granulomatosis
Microscopic polyangiitis
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukaemia
13 Jul 2017
Withdrawn on 10 Apr 2019
Celltrion
Solumarv insulin human Diabetes Refused 11 Feb 2016 Marvel Lifesciences
Solymbic adalimumab Ankylosing spondylitis
Crohn’s disease
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ulcerative colitis
22 Mar 2017
Withdrawn on 5 Mar 2019
Amgen
Somatropin Biopartners somatropin Pituitary dwarfism
Turner syndrome
9 Sep 2013
Withdrawn on 9 Nov 2017 
BioPartners
Thorinane enoxaparin sodium Venous thromboembolism 14 Sep 2016
Withdrawn on 24 Oct 2019
Pharmathen
Udenyca pegfilgrastim Neutropenia 21 Sep 2018
Withdrawn on 15 Feb 2021
ERA Consulting (Coherus Biosciences)
Valtropin somatropin Pituitary dwarfism
Turner syndrome
24 Apr 2006
Withdrawn on 10 May 2012 
BioPartners
*Data updated on 12 May 2023
Source: EMA

 

Two biosimilar were withdrawn before approval: Reliance GeneMedix’s epoetin alfa biosimilar, Epostim; and Mabion’s rituximab biosimilar, see Table 2.

Two biosimilar applications were refused by the agency: an interferon alfa-2a biosimilar, Alpheon, from Biopartners; and a human insulin biosimilar, Solumarv, from Marvel Lifesciences, see Table 2.

By end of February 2023, there is a total of 25 biosimilars withdrawn pre-approval, in the classes of: adalimumab (1); infliximab (1); insulin (6); pegfilgrastim (6, 2 resubmitted); teriparatide (2); trastuzumab (4), including one each of epoetin and rituximab mentioned above.

 This leaves a total of 76 biosimilars approved for use in Europe.

The positive opinion reached by the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) on 26 July 2014 for the insulin glargine biosimilar Abasaglar (previously Abasria) came as a relief to diabetes sufferers in Europe, after the disappointing withdrawal of the applications for three biosimilar insulin products by Marvel LifeSciences in November 2012 [3].The positive opinion reached by the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) on 27 June 2013 for the infliximab biosimilars Inflectra and Remsima was a landmark decision, proving that the biosimilar concept can be successfully applied to such complex molecules as monoclonal antibodies.

Related articles
Remsima approved in Colombia

EMA approves first monoclonal antibody biosimilar

Biosimilar monoclonal antibody approved in Korea

References
1.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. EU guidelines for biosimilars [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2014 Jul 4]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Guidelines/EU-guidelines-for-biosimilars
2.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biosimilars use in Europe [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2014 Jul 4]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Reports/Biosimilars-use-in-Europe
3. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Marvel withdraws biosimilar insulin applications [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2014 Jul 4]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Marvel-withdraws-biosimilar-insulin-applications

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Source: EMA

comment icon Comments (2)
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Posted 07/01/2022 by Anthika U, GaBI Online Editorial Office
Response to ‘Thorinane MA’ of Biosimilars approved in Europe

Dear Alexis Vaujany,
Thank you for your valuable comment received on 20/9/2021. We have updated the article tables of ‘Biosimilars approved in Europe’ with the correct information.
We very much appreciate your kind feedback. Thank you for your interest in GaBI, and please continue with your valuable comments to GaBI Online.
Best Regards, Anthika

Posted 20/09/2021 by Alexis Vaujany
Comment on updates

It seems that Thorinane's MA was withdrawn in 2019 because it has not been marketed in the European Union in the three years following the granting of the authorisation.

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