Biosimilars

Pertuzumab biosimilar HLX11 meets primary endpoint in phase III comparative clinical study

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 03/12/2024

Shanghai Henlius Biotech and Organon announced on 30 September 2024 that their phase III comparative clinical trial for HLX11, an investigational biosimilar to Perjeta (pertuzumab), met its primary endpoint.

Uzpruvo/AVT04 biosimilar in profile

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 26/11/2024

Alvotech and STADA’s Uzpruvo/AVT04 is an ustekinumab biosimilar with similar efficacy, tolerability, safety and physicochemical and biological characteristics to Stelara, the reference product, as has been summarized in a recent study published in Clinical Drug Investigation [1].

EMA recommends approval for ustekinumab biosimilar Absimky and Imuldosa

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/11/2024

On 17 October 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending the granting of marketing authorization for Accord’s Absimky and Imuldosa, both of which are ustekinumab biosimilars referencing Janssen/Johnson & Johnson’s Stelara.

Biologicals and biosimilars available for IBD in Canada

Biosimilars/General | Posted 26/11/2024

The GI Society (Canadian Society of Intestinal Research) recently published an updated list of originator biologicals and biosimilars used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), specifically Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), in Canada.

Biosimilar medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in Australia

Biosimilars/General | Posted 20/11/2024

In recent years, biosimilar medicines have gained increased support and access in Australia through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), a government programme designed to subsidize essential medicines and make them affordable for all Australians. Biosimilars are versions of original biological medicines that are highly similar in terms of quality, safety, and efficacy but are generally more affordable.

Canada approves pegfilgrastim biosimilar Armlupeg

Biosimilars/News | Posted 20/11/2024

India-based Lupin Limited (Lupin) announced on 23 August 2024 that it received marketing approval from Health Canada for its biosimilar pegfilgrastim biosimilar, which will be marketed as Armlupeg.

FDA approves fifth ustekinumab biosimilar Imuldosa

Biosimilars/News | Posted 13/11/2024

On 10 October 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Accord’s Imuldosa (ustekinumab-srlf), making it the fifth ustekinumab biosimilar referencing Janssen/Johnson & Johnson’s Stelara.

SBR issues consensus on interchangeability of reference products and biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 13/11/2024

On 25 September 2024, the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia, SBR) shared its position and consensus on the interchangeability between reference products and biosimilars, a topic of great importance for clinical practice, especially in light of recent regulatory developments by Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency, ANVISA (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, ANVISA) and other international authorities.

EC approval for three ustekinumab biosimilars: Eksunbi, Fymskina, Otulfi

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/11/2024

The European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for three ustekinumab biosimilars: Samsung Bioepis’ Eksunbi on 12 September 2024; Formycon’s Fymskina, and Fresenius Kabi’s Otulfi on 25 September 2024.

FDA approves biosimilars: ustekinumab Otulfi and eculizumab Epysqli

Biosimilars/News | Posted 29/10/2024

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for two biosimilars, Formycon’s FYB202/Otulfi (ustekinumab-aauz) and Samsung Bioepis’ Soliris biosimilar, Epysqli (eculizumab-aagh), on 27 September and 22 July 2024, respectively. FYB202/Otulfi, a biosimilar referencing Johnson & Johnson’s Stelara, while Epysqli is a biosimilar referencing Alexion’s Soliris.

EMA recommends approval of aflibercept biosimilars Afqlir and Opuviz

Biosimilars/News | Posted 23/10/2024

On 19 September 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of marketing authorization for two aflibercept biosimilars: Sandoz’s Afqlir and Samsung Bioepis’s Opuviz. These products are biosimilars of the reference product Eylea, developed by Regeneron and Bayer.

FDA approves second strength of trastuzumab biosimilar Hercessi

Biosimilars/News | Posted 23/10/2024

On 18 September 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for a second strength for Accord’s Hercessi (trastuzumab-strf), a biosimilar referencing Roche’s Herceptin.

FDA approves aflibercept biosimilars Enzeevu and Pavblu

Biosimilars/News | Posted 15/10/2024

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two more aflibercept biosimilars in August 2024. FDA granted approval for Sandoz’s Enzeevu (aflibercept-abzv) and Amgen’s Pavblu (aflibercept-ayyh) on 12 and 23 August 2024, respectively, making them the fourth and fifth approvals for a biosimilar referencing Eylea.

Innovative direct purchase agreement sees adalimumab biosimilar prices slashed

Biosimilars/General | Posted 15/10/2024

On 1 October 2024, Blue Shield of California in the US announced that it will pay far less for an adalimumab biosimilar. The transparent net price paid by the health plan provider will be US$525 per monthly dose, compared to the market-reported net price of reference product Humira at US$2,100.

EC approvals of four biosimilars: Tofidence, Wezenla, Avzivi and SteQeyma

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/10/2024

The European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for four biosimilars between June and August 2024. In August 2024, the EC approved Celltrion’s SteQeyma (ustekinumab), in July 2024, Bio-Thera’s Avzivi (bevacizumab), and in June 2024, Amgen’s Wezenla (ustekinumab) and Biogen/Bio-Thera’s Tofidence (tocilizumab).

Stelara biosimilar available at US$0 for Accredo patients

Biosimilars/General | Posted 08/10/2024

On 5 September 2024, Evernorth Health Services in the US announced that a biosimilar of Johnson and Johnson’s Stelara (ustekinumab) will be available for US$0 out of pocket for eligible patients of its specialty pharmacy, Accredo.

Canada approves trastuzumab Adheroza and ustekinumab Steqeyma biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 01/10/2024

In August 2024, Henlius Biotech's trastuzumab biosimilar, Adheroza, received marketing approval from Health Canada. In July 2024, Celltrion’s ustekinumab biosimilar, Steqeyma (CT-P43), also gained Health Canada approval.

Ten best-selling biosimilars in Brazil in 2023

Biosimilars/General | Posted 01/10/2024

Biosimilars experienced a notable increase in sales during 2023, according to a study published by the Brazilian Association of Generic and Biosimilar Drug Industries (PróGenéricos). The data reveal that about 892,000 units of biosimilars were sold, representing a 43% growth compared to 2022.

EMA recommends approval of ranibizumab, rituximab and trastuzumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 24/09/2024

On 25 July 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending the granting of marketing authorization for three more monoclonal antibody biosimilars: ranibizumab, rituximab, and trastuzumab.

Long-term real-world safety experience of biosimilars confirms concept of biosimilarity

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 24/09/2024

A review by Sagi S, et al. highlighted that biological medicines are well established in clinical practice for the treatment of many serious and chronic conditions [1].