Biosimilars/News

China approves Factor VIII copy biological Anjian

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/11/2021

China-based drugmaker SinoCellTech (formerly known as Shenzhou Cell) announced on 23 July 2021 that China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), had approved its recombinant human coagulation factor VIII (susoctocog alfa) copy biological Anjian.

FDA approves adalimumab biosimilar Cyltezo as interchangeable

Biosimilars/News | Posted 29/10/2021

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first interchangeable adalimumab biosimilar. This is the second interchangeable biosimilar to gain FDA approval in the US and follows the landmark decision to approve an interchangeable insulin glargine biosimilar in July 2021 [1].

Bio-Thera and Samsung Bioepis start clinical trials for ustekinumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 29/10/2021

China’s Bio-Thera Solutions and South Korea’s Samsung Bioepis have begun phase III clinical trials for biosimilars to Janssen’s blockbuster anti-inflammatory drug Stelara (ustekinumab).

Canada approves adalimumab and bevacizumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 22/10/2021

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the bevacizumab biosimilar Bambevi and the adalimumab biosimilar Abrilada (PF-06410293).

Bioeq submits application for ranibizumab biosimilar to FDA

Biosimilars/News | Posted 15/10/2021

A ranibizumab biosimilar developed by Swiss biotechnology company Bioeq AG (Bioeq) has been successfully submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review.

CuraTeQ submits application to EMA for pegfilgrastim biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/10/2021

India-based generics maker Aurobindo Pharma (Aurobindo) announced on 22 September 2021 that its subsidiary CuraTeQ Biologics (CuraTeQ) had submitted an application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its pegfilgrastim biosimilar, BP14.

EMA recommends approval of two adalimumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 01/10/2021

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 17 September 2021 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the adalimumab biosimilars Hukyndra and Libmyris.

EC and FDA approval for first ranibizumab biosimilar Byooviz

Biosimilars/News | Posted 24/09/2021

On 18 August 2021, the ranibizumab biosimilar Byooviz (SB11), produced by Samsung Bioepis and commercialized by Biogen, received European Commission (EC) approval. Then on 20 September 2021 the pair announced that Byooviz had also received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is the first ranibizumab biosimilar, or indeed ophthalmology biosimilar, to receive approval in either Europe or the US.

EC approval for insulin aspart biosimilar Kixelle

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/03/2021

The European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for the insulin aspart biosimilar Kixelle (MYL 1601D), developed by US-based drugmaker Mylan (now Viatris) and India-based biologicals specialist Biocon.

Canada approves insulin aspart biosimilar Trurapi

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/02/2021

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the insulin aspart biosimilar Trurapi.

EMA recommends approval of insulin aspart biosimilar Kixelle

Biosimilars/News | Posted 29/01/2021

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 11 December 2020 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for an insulin aspart biosimilar.

Bevacizumab biosimilars launched in Spain and Korea

Biosimilars/News | Posted 17/09/2021

New bevacizumab biosimilars have been launched in Spain and South Korea.

Mabpharm gains approval for infliximab biobetter in China

Biosimilars/News | Posted 10/09/2021

US-based biopharmaceutical company Sorrento Therapeutics (Sorrento) announced on 20 July 2021 that its partner, China-based Mabpharm, had received marketing approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), for its infliximab ‘biobetter’ (CMAB008).

Formycon/Bioeq submit European marketing authorization for ranibizumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 03/09/2021

German-headquartered companies Formycon and Bioeq have announced a European marketing authorization application for their ranibizumab biosimilar, FYB201.

Human insulin ‘similar biologic’ InsuTrend launched in India

Biosimilars/News | Posted 27/08/2021

India-based company Anthem Biosciences (AnthemBio) announced that it has launched its human insulin ‘similar biologic’ InsuTrend in India.

EMA recommends approval of Samsung Bioepis/Biogen’s ranibizumab biosimilar Byooviz

Biosimilars/News | Posted 16/07/2021

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has given a positive opinion for the ranibizumab biosimilar Byooviz (SB11), produced by Samsung Bioepis and commercialized by Biogen.

Canada approves rituximab biosimilar Riabni

Biosimilars/News | Posted 09/07/2021

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the rituximab biosimilar Riabni for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis as well as chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Canada approves pegfilgrastim biosimilar Nyvepria

Biosimilars/News | Posted 02/07/2021

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the filgrastim biosimilar Nyvepria (PF-06881894). The drug can be used to treat neutropenia (a lack of white blood cells) in cancer patients.

FDA accepts application for Lupin’s pegfilgrastim biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 21/06/2021

India-based generics manufacturer Lupin Pharmaceuticals (Lupin) announced on 2 June 2021 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted the application for approval for its proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar.

Trastuzumab emtansine ‘similar biologic’ Ujvira launched in India

Biosimilars/News | Posted 11/06/2021

India-based generics manufacturer Zydus Cadila (Zydus) announced on 24 May 2021 the launch of its trastuzumab emtansine ‘similar biologic’ Ujvira in India. The launch, according to Zydus ‘marks the world’s first biosimilar antibody drug conjugate (ADC) of trastuzumab emtansine’. 

Clinical trials for aflibercept biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 04/06/2021

Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, has announced the start of a phase III clinical trial of its aflibercept (Eylea) biosimilar, a treatment for age-related macular degeneration. Clinical trials for a number of competitive biosimilars are also underway.

Argentina approves bevacizumab similar biological medicine Zutrab

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/03/2021

The Argentina-based Richmond Laboratory (Laboratorios Richmond) announced on 19 March 2021 that it had gained approval from Argentina’s National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices (Administración Nacional de Medicamentos, Alimentos y Tecnología Médica, ANMAT) for its similar biological medicine (medicamento biológico similar) Zutrab (bevacizumab).

FDA approves first interchangeable insulin glargine biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 30/07/2021

In a landmark decision, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its first interchangeable biosimilar.

China approves sintilimab plus bevacizumab copy biological Byvasda

Biosimilars/News | Posted 23/07/2021

China-based drugmaker Innovent Biologics (Innovent) announced on 29 June 2021 that China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), has approved the combination drug Tyvyt (sintilimab) plus bevacizumab copy biological Byvasda (IBI-305).

Canada approves five adalimumab biosimilars in last six months

Biosimilars/News | Posted 31/05/2021

Since October 2020, Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved no less than five adalimumab biosimilars for the treatment of multiple chronic inflammatory diseases.

Australia approves adalimumab biosimilar Abrilada

Biosimilars/News | Posted 21/05/2021

Australia’s regulatory agency, the Therapeutic Goods Agency (TGA), has approved the adalimumab biosimilar Abrilada (PF-06410293).

EC approves bevacizumab biosimilar Abevmy

Biosimilars/News | Posted 14/05/2021

On 26 April 2021, India-based biologicals specialist Biocon Biologics (Biocon) announced that its bevacizumab biosimilar, Abevmy (MYL 1402O), which it co-developed with US-based drugmaker Viatris (formerly Mylan), had received European Commission (EC) approval.

Samsung Bioepis launches Hadlima in Australia and Canada

Biosimilars/News | Posted 07/05/2021

Korea-based Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) announced on 29 March 2021 that it had now launched its adalimumab biosimilar, Hadlima (SB5), in Australia and Canada.

LG Chem gains approval for adalimumab biosimilar in Japan

Biosimilars/News | Posted 30/04/2021

Japan-based LG Chem (formerly LG Life Sciences) announced on 23 March 2021 in a public filing that it had received approval from Japan’s medicines regulatory agency, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), for 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg syringe, and 40 mg pen formulations of its adalimumab biosimilar, Adalimumab BS MA (LBAL).

EC approval for bevacizumab biosimilar Alymsys/Oyavas

Biosimilars/News | Posted 23/04/2021

The European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for the bevacizumab biosimilar Alymsys/Oyavas (MB02), on 31 March 2021. The biosimilar is developed by mAbxience, a biopharmaceutical firm with offices in Spain, Argentina and Switzerland.

Advances for Formycon and Alteogen’s eye disease biosimilar candidates

Biosimilars/News | Posted 16/04/2021

In March 2021, Formycon confirmed the resubmission strategy for their Lucentis® (ranibizumab) biosimilar candidate (FYB2010) in the US. In addition, Alteogen announced the completion of its phase I clinical trial of Eylea® (aflibercept) biosimilar (ALT-L9). Both of these biological drugs are used to treat conditions leading to the loss of vision.

FDA accepts application for adalimumab biosimilar CHS-1420

Biosimilars/News | Posted 09/04/2021

US-based Coherus BioSciences (Coherus) announced on 17 February 2021 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted the application for their proposed adalimumab biosimilar CHS-1420.

EC approves adalimumab biosimilar Yuflyma

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/03/2021

On 15 February 2021, South Korea-based biotechnology company Celltrion Healthcare (Celltrion) announced that its adalimumab biosimilar, Yuflyma (CT P17), had received European Commission (EC) approval.

EMA recommends approval of four bevacizumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/03/2021

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 29 January 2021 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the bevacizumab biosimilars Alymsys and Oyavas. Then on 26 February 2021, the agency announced that it had recommended approval of the bevacizumab biosimilars Abevmy and Lextemy.

China accepts IND application for daratumumab copy biological HLX15

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/03/2021

China-based drugmaker Shanghai Henlius Biotech (Henlius) announced on 13 January 2021 that the investigational new drug (IND) application for its daratumumab copy biological, HLX15, had been accepted by China’s drug regulator, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), allowing it to carry out clinical trials in the country.

Latest launches for adalimumab biosimilars in Canada and Japan

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/03/2021

There has been a lot of news recently when it comes to adalimumab biosimilars. Sandoz, Fresenius Kabi, Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics/Mylan and Viatris have all announced launches of adalimumab biosimilars.

FDA accepts application for bevacizumab biosimilar BAT1706

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/02/2021

China-based Bio-Thera Pharmaceuticals (Bio-Thera) announced on 28 January 2021 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted the Biologics License Application (BLA) for its proposed bevacizumab biosimilar, BAT1706.

Canada approves infliximab biosimilar Remsima SC

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/02/2021

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the infliximab biosimilar Remsima SC for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Innovent starts phase II trial for ipilimumab copy biological

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/02/2021

China-based Innovent Biologics (Innovent) announced on 11 December 2020 that the first patient had been successfully enrolled and dosed in the randomized, double-blind, phase II multicentre clinical trial (NCT04590599) evaluating its ipilimumab copy biological (IBI310) in combination with TYVYT (sintilimab) for the treatment of patients with second-line or above advanced cervical cancer.

EMA recommends approval of adalimumab biosimilar Yuflyma

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/02/2021

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 11 December 2020 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for an adalimumab biosimilar.