Biosimilars/General

Amgen explains the steps of manufacturing a biosimilar

US-based biotech giant Amgen explains on its websites the steps involved in manufacturing a biosimilar.

EU approves Henlius copy biologicals facility in China

Following European Union (EU) inspections of Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc’s Xuhui facility in China, it is likely that the copy biologicals produced at the site will soon be available internationally.

Reimbursement of biosimilars in the US

Barriers to market uptake of biosimilars in the US include biosimilars pricing, legal and promotional wars being waged by originator companies, and the lack of confidence in biosimilars [1, 2].

Amgen on both sides of the biosimilar arena

Amgen has both originator biologicals and also biosimilars in its portfolio, which means the US-based drugmaker can be on both sides of the fence when it comes to biosimilars.

US FDA clears Biocon manufacturing sites in Malaysia and India

There has been successful closure of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections at Biocon Biologics sites in Malaysia and India. Three manufacturing sites were issued FDA establishment inspection reports (EIRs) in April 2020. The site in Malaysia is set to produce insulin glargine biosimilar, and two sites in Bangalore, India are set to manufacture trastuzumab and pegfilgrastim oncology biosimilars.

Online education for diabetes specialists on biosimilar insulins

An online educational course has been published by Medscape in collaboration with the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialist.

New information on biosimilars from Australia and the US

The Generic Biosimilar Medicines Association and the Biologics Prescriber Collaborative have released new information on biosimilars, aimed at physicians and the public, respectively.

FDA releases new information on interchangeable biologicals

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released new information on its website, clarifying the difference between biosimilars and interchangeable biologicals and says it will make more treatment options available to more people.

Biosimilars highlights: 2019

There were many biosimilars approved in 2019, as well as new clinical trials, research into issues surrounding biosimilar use, and significant regulatory changes [1], as summarized below.

British Columbia releases latest data on biosimilar switches

The latest data on biosimilar switching in British Columbia, Canada shows that 28% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have switched to a biosimilar version of their medication.

Biocure developing five candidate biosimilars

South Korea’s pharmaceutical industry has fast been expanding as a world player. According to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, the Korean pharmaceutical industry in 2018 represented 1.8% of the world market, i.e. the 13th largest in the world.

Biosimilars and the safe harbor provision

In the US, the safe harbor provision exempts drug development and approval from patent infringement provisions, and courts have interpreted the safe harbor to apply broadly to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated and approved products, including biologicals. However, courts have continued to struggle with the application of the safe harbor to different types of FDA submissions as the regulatory process has become more complex – and largely have continued to expand its scope.

Access to biosimilars in China, the EU and the US

Access to more affordable treatments is the main driver for the approval of biosimilars. But how does this accessibility vary between Europe, the US and China?

The Patients Association publishes new advice on switching to biosimilars

Patient advocacy group in the UK, The Patients Association, has published new information and an animated video about switching to biosimilars.

US oncologist says Medicare should not practice medicine

Clinical oncologist, Dr Debra Patt, who serves on the US Oncology Research Breast Cancer Committee and chairs the breast cancer subsection of the pathways task force for The US Oncology Network, expresses her opinion on a new policy introduced by Medicare, which she believes is ‘having a negative impact on a patient’s outcome’.

FDA and FTC collaborate to deter anti-competitive behaviour for biologicals

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on 3 February 2020 that they would enhance their collaboration when it comes to anti-competitive behaviour in the biologicals’ marketplace.

Biosimilars applications under review by EMA – January 2020

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is the body responsible for approval of biosimilars within the European Union (EU). A legal framework for approving biosimilars was established in 2003. Approval of biosimilars is based on an abbreviated registration process, which allows biosimilars manufacturers to provide a reduced package of information compared to originator drugs, provided they can prove ‘similarity’ to the originator or reference drug.

Non-originator biologicals approved in Russia

Last update: 10 January 2020

In Russia, the regulatory body for the approval of medicines is Russia’s Ministry of Health (Министерство здравоохранения Российской Федерации; Rosminzdrav, Minzdrav).

FDA publishes historic drug approvals and searchable Purple Book

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a dataset of drug approvals dating back to 1985 and an online, searchable version of the Purple Book of licensed biologicals.

Ontario becomes third Canadian province to switch patients to biosimilars

In Canada, the province of Ontario has followed Alberta and British Columbia in introducing a policy to switch certain patients to biosimilars.

Key issues for adalimumab biosimilars

Adalimumab is a popular and effective antibody treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A recent position statement from the Belgian IBD research group (BIRD) reviews key issues surrounding the use of adalimumab biosimilars, including extrapolation, immunogenicity and switching [1].

Adalimumab biosimilars in Europe: a review

A recent position statement from the Belgian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) research group (BIRD) reviews the five biosimilars of adalimumab available in the European Union (EU) [1]. Adalimumab, which has been marketed under the brand name Humira, is a popular antibody treatment for a number of inflammatory conditions.

Swiss position statement on the use of biosimilars in IBD

Experts from the Swiss Society of Gastroenterology have provided a position statement on the use of biosimilars in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The position paper summarizes key regulatory and clinical issues around biosimilars to help improve clinician and patient awareness.

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk launches lower-priced insulin options

Originator insulin makers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have both announced the introduction of additional reduced cost insulin options for patients.

WHO prequalifies first biosimilar

The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified its first biosimilar – trastuzumab – in a move that the organization says, ‘could make this expensive, life-saving treatment more affordable and available to women globally’.

Canadian gastroenterologists issue biosimilar position statement

The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG) and Crohn’s and Colitis Canada announced on 24 October 2019 that they had issued a joint position statement on the use of biosimilars for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [1].

WHO launches insulin prequalification programme

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a pilot prequalification scheme to certify biosimilar versions of insulin in order to increase supply in low- and middle-income countries.

UnitedHealthcare to preferentially cover Amgen’s anticancer biosimilars

The largest insurer in the US, UnitedHealthcare, has announced it will preferentially cover Amgen’s biosimilar cancer treatments from 1 October 2019.

Similar biotherapeutic products approved and marketed in Latin America

Last update: 29 November 2019

Regulation of similar biotherapeutic products in Latin America varies widely among different countries. Although many countries have yet to introduce guidance for biosimilars, Latin America is moving towards increasing standards of regulation for these products [1, 2].

Oncology pharmacists issue position statement on biosimilars

On 4 October 2019, the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP) issued their global position on the use of biosimilars in cancer treatment and supportive care.

Biosimilars of epoetin alfa

Last update: 4 November 2019

Epoetin alfa is a human erythropoietin produced in cell culture using recombinant DNA technology. It stimulates erythropoiesis (increases red blood cell levels) and is used to treat anaemia, commonly associated with chronic renal failure and cancer chemotherapy.

Celltrion and Juno make biosimilars deal in Australia and Herzuma launches in Iraq

South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion Healthcare (Celltrion) has entered into a partnership with Juno Pharmaceuticals (Juno) to market the trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma and rituximab biosimilar Truxima in Australia. The company also launched Herzuma in Iraq.

FDA releases new patient guidance on biosimilars

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released new patient materials on biosimilars, which explain that biosimilars are as safe and effective as their reference biological and answer a number of commonly asked questions.

Novo Nordisk to launch biosimilar insulin in the US

Novo Nordisk has announced plans to launch biosimilar versions of its NovoLog and NovoLog Mix insulin products in the US in January 2020.

Mylan’s insulin biosimilar blocked, but wins patent battle over pegfilgrastim biosimilar

Mylan has received a second complete response letter (CRL) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over its Lantus biosimilar, while a US District Court rules in their favour over their pegfilgrastim biosimilar, Fulphila.

Canadian IBD charity updates biosimilar position statement

On 5 September 2019, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada announced that it had updated its position statement on the use of biosimilars for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The updated position statement was published after the organization reviewed its position on biosimilars particularly related to non-medical switching policy.

Court rules Amgen’s patents on Enbrel are valid, Sandoz to appeal

After the US District Court of New Jersey ruled in Amgen’s favour on the validity of its patents for arthritis treatment Enbrel, Sandoz says it will appeal the ruling, which prevents the launch of its biosimilar Erlezi.

Momenta drops Humira biosimilar development

Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2019 on 2 August 2019. In this, they reported that they will stop the development of their Humira (adalimumab). However, they will continue to develop other biosimilar products.

Australia approves three biosimilars in first half of 2019

Australia’s regulatory agency, the Therapeutic Goods Agency (TGA) has up until the end of June 2019 approved three biosimilars. The biosimilars approved in the country so far include two trastuzumab biosimilars and an adalimumab biosimilar.

Biosimilars applications under review by EMA – July 2019

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is the body responsible for approval of biosimilars within the European Union (EU). A legal framework for approving biosimilars was established in 2003. Approval of biosimilars is based on an abbreviated registration process, which allows biosimilars manufacturers to provide a reduced package of information compared to originator drugs, provided they can prove ‘similarity’ to the originator or reference drug.