Biosimilars/News

EMA accepts application for ranibizumab biosimilar from Samsung Bioepis

Biosimilars/News | Posted 23/10/2020

Korea-based Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) announced on 6 October 2020 that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has accepted to review its marketing authorization application for SB11, a biosimilar of Lucentis® (ranibizumab). If successful, this will be the first Lucentis® biosimilar available in Europe.

China accepts application for bevacizumab copy biological

Biosimilars/News | Posted 16/10/2020

The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China has accepted an investigational new drug (IND) application for a bevacizumab copy biological developed by 3SBio and Samsung Bioepis. 

EC approval for bevacizumab biosimilar Equidacent

Biosimilars/News | Posted 16/10/2020

Centus Biotherapeutics Ltd announced on 29 September 2020 that the European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for Equidacent, its Avastin (bevacizumab) biosimilar.

China approves adalimumab copy biological Sulinno

Biosimilars/News | Posted 09/10/2020

China-based Innovent Biologics (Innovent) has received marketing authorization from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for their adalimumab copy biological Sulinno. 

Cadila launches two new similar biologics in India

Biosimilars/News | Posted 02/10/2020

Cadila Pharmaceuticals (Cadila) has launched two similar biologics onto the Indian market: NuPTH, a teriparatide similar biologic and Cadalimab, a similar biologic of the auto-immune treatment adalimumab. Cadila has launched four new products on the domestic market since July 2020.

Biocon and Celltrion make progress in the battle against COVID-19

Biosimilars/News | Posted 02/10/2020

Biocon has reported promising results from a clinical trial of its biosimilar itolizumab in patients hospitalised with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, Celltrion Healthcare (Celltrion) is investigating the use of its infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 to treat patients with COVID-19 infection.

Indications expanded for Merck’s etanercept biosimilar Brenzys

Biosimilars/News | Posted 25/09/2020

The indications of Merck Canada’s etanercept biosimilar Brenzys have been expanded to include plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Insulin glargine biosimilar Semglee launched in US

Biosimilars/News | Posted 18/09/2020

The partnership of US-based drugmaker Mylan and Indian biologicals specialist Biocon announced on 31 August 2020 the launch of their insulin glargine product, Semglee, in the US. 

Samsung Bioepis launches Ontruzant in Brazil

Biosimilars/News | Posted 11/09/2020

South Korean biotechnology company Samsung Bioepis has announced the launch of their trastuzumab biosimilar Ontruzant in Brazil. The product was approved by the Brazilian health agency in May 2019.

Cadila Pharmaceuticals launches two similar biologics in India

Biosimilars/News | Posted 11/09/2020

Indian generics maker Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Cadila) has launched two new similar biologics in the country: Bevaro (bevacizumab) and Ritucad (rituximab).

EC approval for trastuzumab biosimilar Zercepac

Biosimilars/News | Posted 04/09/2020

The European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for the trastuzumab biosimilar Zercepac (HLX02) on 27 July 2020. The product is produced by the Shanghai Henlius Biopharmaceutical Co Ltd (Henlius), making it the first China-made biosimilar to receive approval in Europe.

EMA recommends approval of bevacizumab biosimilar Equidacent

Biosimilars/News | Posted 28/08/2020

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 23 July 2020 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for the bevacizumab biosimilar Equidacent, which is produced by Centus Biotherapeutics, a joint venture between AstraZeneca and Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics

EC approval for Sanofi’s insulin aspart biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 31/07/2020

The European Commission (EC) has issued marketing authorization for Sanofi’s insulin aspart biosimilar, which references Novo Nordisk’s product NovoLog and is used to treat type 1 and 2 diabetes.

EMA approves bevacizumab and teriparatide biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 24/07/2020

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 26 June 2020 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the bevacizumab biosimilar Aybintio and for the teriparatide biosimilars Livogiva and Qutavina.

FDA approves pegfilgrastim biosimilar Nyvepria

Biosimilars/News | Posted 24/07/2020

Pharma giant Pfizer announced on 11 June 2020 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its pegfilgrastim biosimilar Nyvepria (HSP-130).

FDA approves Mylan’s adalimumab biosimilar Hulio

Biosimilars/News | Posted 17/07/2020

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Mylan/Fujifilm’s adalimumab biosimilar Hulio (adalimumab-fkjp) on 7 July 2020. The product is the sixth adalimumab biosimilar to be approved by FDA and is manufactured by Japan-based Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics.

Celltrion launches Truxima in Brazil

Biosimilars/News | Posted 17/07/2020

On 27 May 2020, South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion Healthcare (Celltrion) announced that it had launched its rituximab similar biotherapeutic product Truxima (CT‑P10) in Brazil.

Canada approves infliximab and filgrastim biosimilars Avsola and Nivestym

Biosimilars/News | Posted 10/07/2020

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the infliximab and filgrastim biosimilars Avsola (ABP 710) and Nivestym.

Revance and Mylan move forward with Botox biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 10/07/2020

US firm Revance Therapeutics (Revance) announced on 1 June 2020 that its partner, US-based drugmaker Mylan, had decided to move forward with a development plan, under a 351(k) pathway, for a proposed biosimilar to Allergan’s cosmetic blockbuster Botox and Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA).

Japanese approval for first adalimumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 03/07/2020

Japan-based Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics announced on 29 June 2020 that it had received approval from Japan’s medicines regulatory agency, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), for its adalimumab biosimilar FKB327 in Japan.

EC approval for etanercept biosimilar Nepexto

Biosimilars/News | Posted 03/07/2020

The European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for the etanercept biosimilar Nepexto (YLB113), developed by US-based drugmaker Mylan and its partner India-based generics maker Lupin.

China approves bevacizumab copy biological Byvasda

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/06/2020

China-based drugmaker Innovent Biologics (Innovent) announced on 19 June 2020 that China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), had approved Byvasda (IBI-305), a bevacizumab copy biological.

Canada approves pegfilgrastim biosimilar Ziextenzo

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/06/2020

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the pegfilgrastim biosimilar Ziextenzo (LA-EP2006). The drug can be used to treat neutropenia (a lack of white blood cells) in cancer patients.

Daewon launches teriparatide biosimilar in South Korea

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/06/2020

South Korea-based Daewon Pharmaceutical (Daewon) announced that it has launched the teriparatide biosimilar Terrosa.

China accepts IND application for denosumab copy biological HLX14

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/06/2020

China-based drugmaker Shanghai Henlius Biotech (Henlius) announced on 27 May 2020 that China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), had accepted an investigational new drug application (IND) for HLX4, a denosumab copy biological.

Bio-Thera launches first adalimumab copy biological in China

Biosimilars/News | Posted 21/02/2020

Bio-Thera Solutions (Bio-Thera) announced in January 2020 the launch of the first adalimumab copy biological in China. The drug can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and plaque psoriasis and will be marketed as Qletli.

Mabpharm files infliximab copy biological application in China

Biosimilars/News | Posted 31/01/2020

US-based biopharmaceutical company Sorrento Therapeutics (Sorrento) announced on 6 January 2020 that its partner, China-based Mabpharm, had filed a marketing application with China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for its infliximab copy biological (CMAB008).

FDA approves insulin glargine biosimilar Semglee

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/06/2020

US-based drugmaker Mylan and partner, India-based biologicals specialist Biocon, announced on 11 June 2020 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its insulin glargine biosimilar Semglee (MYL‑1501D).

Fresenius Kabi’s pegfilgrastim biosimilar accepted for review by EMA and FDA

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/06/2020

Fresenius Kabi, the generics unit of German healthcare giant Fresenius, announced on 22 and 27 May 2020 that the regulatory submissions for its proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar (MSB11455) had been accepted by both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), respectively.

EMA recommends approval of trastuzumab biosimilar Zercepac

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/06/2020

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 29 May 2020 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for a biosimilar trastuzumab product.

Teva launches rituximab biosimilar Truxima in US

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/06/2020

Israeli generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) and partner, South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion, announced on 4 May 2020 that they had launched their rituximab biosimilar Truxima (TL011) in the US.

Denosumab copy biological clinical trial application accepted in China

Biosimilars/News | Posted 27/03/2020

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), has accepted a clinical trial application of denosumab copy biological HLX14.

Canada approves rituximab biosimilars Riximyo and Ruxience

Biosimilars/News | Posted 22/05/2020

Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved the rituximab biosimilars Riximyo (GP2013) and Ruxience (PF-05280586) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis as well as chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

EMA recommends approval of Sanofi’s insulin aspart biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 15/05/2020

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 30 April 2020 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for an insulin aspart biosimilar.

Pegfilgrastim biosimilar Fulphila launched in Canada

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/05/2020

US-based drugmaker Mylan and partner, India-based biologicals specialist Biocon, announced on 28 April 2020 the launch of their pegfilgrastim biosimilar, Fulphila, in Canada. This is the second biosimilar from the pair to be launched in the country.

Celltrion files application with EMA for adalimumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/05/2020

Celltrion has submitted an application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its adalimumab biosimilar, currently known as CT-P17.

Biocon/Mylan launch pegfilgrastim biosimilar Fulphila in Australia

Biosimilars/News | Posted 04/05/2020

US-based drugmaker Mylan and partner India-based biologicals specialist Biocon have announced the launch of their pegfilgrastim biosimilar, Fulphila, in Australia. The drug can be used to treat neutropenia (a lack of white blood cells) in cancer patients.

Mabion withdraws application for rituximab biosimilar in EU

Biosimilars/News | Posted 17/04/2020

 Polish biologicals company Mabion Spolka Akcyjna (Mabion) has withdrawn its duplicate applications for its rituximab biosimilar, MabionCD20.

Amgevita approved in Colombia

Biosimilars/News | Posted 17/04/2020

Colombia’s National Institute of Food and Drug Monitoring (INVIMA – Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos y Alimentos) has approved the first adalimumab producto bioterapéutico similar (similar biotherapeutic product).

Merck launches trastuzumab biosimilar in the US

Biosimilars/News | Posted 24/04/2020

US pharma giant Merck (known as MSD outside the US and Canada) and Korea-based Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) announced in on 15 April 2020 that they had launched their trastuzumab biosimilar, Ontruzant, in the US.