Biosimilars/News

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.

China extends indications for adalimumab and bevacizumab copy biologicals

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/02/2021

Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Innovent Biologics (Innovent) announced that China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), has approved new indications for its adalimumab and bevacizumab copy biologicals.

Canada approves three teriparatide biosimilars in 2020

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/02/2021

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the enoxaparin sodium biosimilars Apo-teriparatide, Teva-teriparatide and Osnuvo.

FDA approves rituximab biosimilar Riabni

Biosimilars/News | Posted 29/01/2021

US-based biotech giant Amgen announced on 17 December 2020 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its rituximab biosimilar Riabni (ABP 798).

EMA recommends approval of adalimumab and insulin aspart biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 22/01/2021

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

Canada approves heparin biosimilars Redesca and Redesca HP

Biosimilars/News | Posted 22/01/2021

Canadian pharmaceuticals firm Valeo Pharma (Valeo) announced on 9 December 2020 that Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, had approved its low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) biosimilars Redesca and Redesca HP.

EC approval for pegfilgrastim biosimilar Nyvepria

Biosimilars/News | Posted 15/01/2021

The European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for the pegfilgrastim biosimilar Nyvepria (PF-06881894), developed by US-based drugmaker Pfizer and its subsidiary Hospira.

China approves adalimumab copy biological HLX03

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/01/2021

China-based drugmaker Shanghai Henlius Biotech (Henlius) announced on 7 December 2020 that China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), had approved its adalimumab copy biological HLX03.

EMA and FDA accept application for adalimumab biosimilar AVT02

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/01/2021

Iceland-based biopharmaceutical company Alvotech announced on 19 November 2020 that its US subsidiary, Alvotech USA, had filed an application for its adalimumab biosimilar (AVT02). The company also announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) had accepted for review its application for AVT02 with an EMA decision anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Trials of ustekinumab biosimilars advance

Biosimilars/News | Posted 29/05/2020

Japan-based Meiji Seika Pharma, together with the South Korean company Dong-A, have begun a phase I trial for their ustekinumab biosimilar. Meanwhile, the Australian firm NeuClone has reported results from the phase I trial of its ustekinumab biosimilar, NeuLara.

EMA recommends approval of bevacizumab biosimilar Onbevzi

Biosimilars/News | Posted 11/12/2020

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 13 November 2020 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the bevacizumab biosimilar Onbevzi.

EMA accepts application for bevacizumab biosimilar BAT1706

Biosimilars/News | Posted 04/12/2020

China-based Bio-Thera Pharmaceuticals (Bio-Thera) announced on 25 November 2020 that it had submitted an application for its proposed bevacizumab biosimilar, BAT1706, to the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Australia approves etanercept and insulin aspart biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 04/12/2020

Australia’s drug regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), announced in October 2020 the approval of etanercept and insulin aspart biosimilars.

FDA accepts application for ranibizumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 27/11/2020

Korea-based Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) and partner US biotechnology company Biogen announced on 18 November 2020 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted the application for their proposed ranibizumab biosimilar (SB11).

Canada approves enoxaparin biosimilars Inclunox and Noromby

Biosimilars/News | Posted 20/11/2020

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the enoxaparin sodium biosimilars Inclunox and Noromby.

Innovent and Eli Lilly receive approval for rituximab copy biological in China

Biosimilars/News | Posted 06/11/2020

Innovent Biologics and Eli Lilly have received joint marketing approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China for their rituximab copy biological, Halpryza. 

Canada approves trastuzumab biosimilar Kanjinti

Biosimilars/News | Posted 30/10/2020

Canada’s medicines regulator, Health Canada, has approved the trastuzumab biosimilar Kanjinti by Amgen. This marks the second trastuzumab biosimilar to be approved by Health Canada.