Biosimilars

Biosimilars of palivizumab

Biosimilars/General | Posted 01/12/2017

Palivizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody. It targets the fusion protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) inhibiting its entry into the cell and thereby preventing infection. Palivizumab is therefore used in the prevention of RSV infections.

EMA approval for bevacizumab biosimilar Mvasi

Biosimilars/News | Posted 24/11/2017

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 10 November 2017 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the bevacizumab biosimilar Mvasi.

Switching to biosimilar infliximab in IBD patients

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 24/11/2017

Biological agents, such as infliximab, have transformed the outcomes of patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. The advent of biosimilar treatment options, such as CT‑P13 (Remsima/Inflectra), promises to improve the availability of biological therapy.

Biosimilars in oncology in the US

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 24/11/2017

As part of the Affordable Care Act of 2010, the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCI Act) allows for an abbreviated license pathway for the approval of biosimilars in the US. In light of continuing increases in healthcare costs, particularly for cancer drugs, use of biosimilars is increasingly being considered as a strategy for containing the cost of cancer care, according to Dr Gary Lyman of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA [1, 2].

EC approval for adalimumab biosimilar Cyltezo

Biosimilars/News | Posted 17/11/2017

Germany-based Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals (Boehringer) announced on 13 November 2017 that it had received European Commission (EC) approval for its biosimilar adalimumab product Cyltezo (BI 695501).

Loss of efficacy after switching to biosimilar infliximab in Behcet’s patients

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 17/11/2017

Authors from the Division of Rheumatology at the Hospital of Prato, Italy report on three patients with Behçet’s disease that experienced disease relapses after switching from the originator infliximab, Remicade, to biosimilar infliximab [1].

Adalimumab and trastuzumab biosimilars approved in South Korea

Biosimilars/News | Posted 17/11/2017

South Korean biosimilars maker Samsung Bioepis announced on 9 November 2017 that it had received marketing approval for its biosimilar version of Roche’s blockbuster breast cancer therapy Herceptin (trastuzumab) from Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). The news follows another announcement by the company on 22 September 2017 that it had also gained approval for its adalimumab biosimilar (SB5).

Opportunities and challenges for biosimilars in oncology

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 17/11/2017

The rapid increase in healthcare costs, particularly for cancer drugs, has had a major impact on providers, practices, payers and patients, according to Dr Gary Lyman of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA [1, 2].

UK launches campaign to promote research on biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 17/11/2017

A new campaign launched by the UK’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) aims to unlock the potential benefits of biosimilars in the National Health Service (NHS) through clinical trials.

Phase III switching data support long-term efficacy and safety of rituximab biosimilar Truxima

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 10/11/2017

Results of a phase III extension study have shown that Celltrion Healthcare’s (Celltrion) rituximab biosimilar (Truxima, CT-P10) is comparable to Roche’s MabThera/Rituxan, according to the South Korean biotechnology company.

Humira deal could cost CMS US$1.48 billion

Biosimilars/News | Posted 10/11/2017

The settlement deal made between US-based biotech giant Amgen and pharma giant AbbVie regarding AbbVie’s blockbuster arthritis drug Humira (adalimumab) could cost the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) at least US$1.48 billion.

Physicochemical and biological characterization study of copy biological tocilizumab

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 10/11/2017

Researchers in China have developed a copy biological of F. Hoffmann-La Roche’s (Roche) arthritis treatment Actemra (tocilizumab). A recent study compares it to the originator, finding it to be highly similar in terms of its physical, chemical and biological characteristics [1].

Australian prescribers’ views on biologicals naming and substitution

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/11/2017

In a survey of 160 prescribers of biologicals in Australia, over three quarters agreed that the country’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) should insist on distinct non-proprietary scientific names for all biosimilars and reference products. The results of the survey were published just as TGA launched a public consultation on proposals for potential biological naming systems. A clear majority (98%) of prescribers who took part in the survey, run by the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM), said they currently used either brand name or non-proprietary scientific names for recording and prescribing biosimilars and reference products [1]. Most (61%) wanted TGA to play a major role in naming biosimilars.