Biosimilars

Switching to etanercept biosimilar SB4 safe and effective in a hospital setting

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 26/10/2018

Authors of a study carried out at a UK hospital found switching to etanercept biosimilar SB4 to be safe and effective [1].

FDA reviews adalimumab biosimilar SB5

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/10/2018

Samsung Bioepis announced on 27 September 2018 that the regulatory submission for its proposed adalimumab biosimilar (SB5) had been accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Expediting FDA approvals for biosimilars

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 19/10/2018

A number of recommendations for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to simplify biosimilar licensing laws, and thus make biosimilars more accessible, are offered in a recent review [1]. Recommendations include allowing smaller batch sizes for testing, encouraging substitution for naïve patients, and removing the requirement for bridging studies.

FDA advisers recommend approval of rituximab biosimilar CT-P10

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/10/2018

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisers have voted unanimously to recommended approval for CT‑P10, a biosimilar version of Roche’s MabThera/Rituxan (rituximab). If approved by FDA, this would be the first rituximab biosimilar approved in the US.

Phase III trial for subcutaneous Remsima completed

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 19/10/2018

Celltrion Healthcare (Celltrion) announced on 29 August 2018 that it had completed a phase III study with the subcutaneous (SC) version of its infliximab biosimilar Remsima (CT‑P13).

Comments on FDA’s public meeting on biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 12/10/2018

Comments made at the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent meeting on biosimilars included a call for interchangeability information in the Purple Book, criticism of FDA’s use of arbitrary suffixes and a request to waive bridging studies for biosimilars.

Two darbepoetin alfa biosimilars submitted to Japan’s PMDA

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/10/2018

Two South Korean firms have announced that they have submitted applications for approval of their proposed darbepoetin alfa biosmilars to Japan’s medicines regulatory agency, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA).

Reasons for switching to biosimilars and immunogenicity

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 12/10/2018

Authors from French universities and hospitals discussed the evidence and issues associated with switching from originator biological to biosimilars [1].

Stakeholder perspectives on biosimilars in oncology

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 05/10/2018

Monoclonal antibody biosimilars represent a novel advance in the field of oncology, and their integration into routine clinical practice present challenges for clinicians, nurses, patients and regulators. Researchers therefore investigated the perspectives stakeholders including a clinician, specialist nurse, patient advocate, regulator and economist on optimizing the uptake of monoclonal antibody biosimilars in the treatment of cancer [1].

EC approval for adalimumab and pegfilgrastim biosimilars Hulio and Udenyca

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/10/2018

In September 2018, adalimumab biosimilar, Hulio, and pegfilgrastim biosimilar, Udenyca, received European Commission (EC) approval.

Pharmacokinetics of CT-P6 in patients with HER2+ early-stage breast cancer

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 05/10/2018

Researchers from Celltrion presented data that support the pharmacokinetic (PK) similarity between trastuzumab biosimilar CT‑P6 and originator trastuzumab (Herceptin) [1].

Biocon’s biosimilars plant gains clearance from FDA

Biosimilars/General | Posted 05/10/2018

India-based biologicals specialist Biocon has stated that its biosimilars plant has received a clean bill of health, indicating that it is now compliant with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) manufacturing requirements.

Bioequivalence of bevacizumab biosimilar (BEVZ92) versus Avastin in mCRC patients

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 28/09/2018

Researchers from mAbxience presented data that supports the pharmacokinetic (PK) bioequivalence between bevacizumab biosimilar BEVZ92 and originator bevacizumab (Avastin) as first-line treatment in combination with fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) or fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI). in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) [1].

EMA approves pegfilgrastim biosimilars Fulphila, Pelmeg and Ziextenzo

Biosimilars/News | Posted 28/09/2018

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 21 September 2018 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorizations for the pegfilgrastim biosimilars Fulphila, Pelmeg and Ziextenzo.

Adalimumab copy biologicals accepted for review in China

Biosimilars/News | Posted 28/09/2018

China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has accepted applications for approval of adalimumab copy biologicals from Hisun Pharma (Hisun) and Bio‑Thera Solutions (Bio‑Thera).

Recommendations for biosimilars in rheumatology in the Middle East

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 28/09/2018

The increasing availability of biosimilars in Middle Eastern regions may provide an opportunity to increase the number of rheumatology patients who have access to traditionally more expensive biologicals. However, as well as a lack of real-world data on the use of biosimilars in practice, the availability of ‘intended copies*’ in the region may undermine physician confidence in prescribing legitimate biosimilars. There is a need for regional recommendations for healthcare professionals to ensure that biosimilars can be used safely.

Samsung Bioepis sued over trastuzumab biosimilar but win for Celltrion’s biosimilar Inflectra

Biosimilars/General | Posted 28/09/2018

Roche’s Genentech has sued Samsung Bioepis regarding its trastuzumab biosimilar, but Celltrion has won its patent battle against Johnson & Johnson (J&J).

Improving understanding of biotherapeutics and biosimilars

Biosimilars/General | Posted 21/09/2018

Additional information on biosimilars and biotherapeutics have been published in Europe.

Selection of quality attributes and test methods in biosimilarity assessment

Biosimilars/Research | Posted 21/09/2018

Biosimilar development starts with a detailed characterization of the quality profile of the chosen reference product, to establish targets for cell line and process development, according to author Vandekerckhove and colleagues [1]. This characterization requires a careful determination of the range of variability for all relevant product quality attributes of the reference product, as well as an understanding of their relative importance, to ensure appropriate focus on the most important attributes. Following process development, similarity of the biosimilar candidate with the reference product must be demonstrated in comprehensive analytical studies. This first step in the demonstration of biosimilarity provides the most sensitive measurement of differences; and is instrumental in deciding the direction of further product development. Meticulous design of the analytical similarity programme is therefore critical to the success of biosimilar development.

Adalimumab and trastuzumab biosimilars gain EC approval

Biosimilars/News | Posted 21/09/2018

A trastuzumab biosimilar from Pfizer and three adalimumab biosimilars from Sandoz have been approved by the European Commission (EC).