Biosimilars/News

China accepts IND application for denosumab copy biological HLX14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Polish biologicals company Mabion Spolka Akcyjna (Mabion) has withdrawn its duplicate applications for its rituximab biosimilar, MabionCD20.

Amgevita approved in Colombia

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

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.

EC approval for rituximab biosimilar Ruxience

On 2 April 2020, pharma giant Pfizer announced that its rituximab biosimilar, Ruxience (PF‑05280586), had received European Commission (EC) approval.

Non-originator biologicals approved in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Russian biotechnology company Biocad announced on 30 March 2020 that it had received approval for two of its anticancer non-originator biologicals in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

EMA recommends approval of etanercept biosimilar Nepexto

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 27 March 2020 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for a biosimilar etanercept product.

Celltrion/Teva launch trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma in US

Celltrion and Teva announced in March 2020 that they have launched their trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma (trastuzumab-pkrb) in the US. Herzuma can be used to treat breast and gastric cancer and has recently been approved in Canada [1].

Celltrion launches infliximab biosimilar Remsima SC in Europe

In a successful time for Celltrion Healthcare (Celltrion), the company has launched their infliximab biosimilar Remsima in Germany and the UK.

Amgen starts phase III trial for aflibercept biosimilar

US-based biotech giant Amgen is initiating a phase III clinical trial for a biosimilar of Regeneron’s Eylea (aflibercept).

FDA accepts application for Mylan’s bevacizumab biosimilar

US-based drugmaker Mylan announced on 27 February 2020 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted its application for its bevacizumab biosimilar (MYL 1402O).

Mylan launches anti-cancer biosimilar in the US

The US drug market receives a new oncology biosimilar as Mylan launches its trastuzumab biosimilar, Ogivri.

Mylan launches anti-cancer biosimilar in the US

Pfizer launching biosimilars in US and Japan but not in EU

In early 2020, pharma giant Pfizer announced that it was launching its rituximab biosimilar in Japan and that it would be launching three new biosimilars onto the US market.

Phase III trial started in China for eculizumab copy biological

Korea-based Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) is starting a phase III clinical trial in China for a copy biological of Soliris (eculizumab), made by Alexion Pharmaceuticals (Alexion).

EMA approval for rituximab biosimilar Ruxience

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 31 January 2020 that it had recommended granting marketing authorization for the rituximab biosimilar Ruxience.

Rituximab biosimilar ABP 798 submitted to FDA

US-based biotech giant Amgen and its partner Allergan announced on 19 December 2019 that their rituximab biosimilar (ABP 798) had been successfully submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review.

Teriparatide biosimilar Terossa approved in South Korea

South Korea-based Daewon Pharmaceutical has obtained regulatory approval to begin marketing and selling its teriparatide biosimilar in Korea.

Phase I trials started for aflibercept and ustekinumab biosimilars

Phase I trials have started for proposed biosimilars of aflibercept and ustekinumab.

South Korean biologicals company Alteogen has, according to clinicaltrials.gov, started a phase I trial for its candidate aflibercept biosimilar ALT-L9.

Bevacizumab and teriparatide biosimilars launched in Japan

Biosimilars for osteoporosis treatment teriparatide and for anticancer drug bevacizumab were launched in Japan in late 2019.

Samsung Bioepis and AffaMed to start trastuzumab trial in China

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has granted approval for partners Samsung Bioepis and AffaMed Therapeutics (AffaMed) to start a phase III trial for their trastuzumab product, SB3.

FDA approval for Amgen’s infliximab biosimilar Avsola

US-based biotech giant Amgen announced on 6 December 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its infliximab biosimilar Avsola (ABP 710).

Bio-Thera gains Chinese approval for adalimumab copy biological and starts ustekinumab trial

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has approved Qletli, an adalimumab copy biological. The NMPA has also approved the Investigational New Drug (IND) application from Bio-Thera Solutions (Bio-Thera) to initiate a phase I clinical study for the proposed ustekinumab copy biological BAT2206.

Australia approves five biosimilars since June 2019

Australia’s regulatory agency, the Therapeutic Goods Agency (TGA) has approved five biosimilars since June 2019. The biosimilars approved in the country since then include three pegfilgrastim biosimilars, a trastuzumab biosimilar and a bevacizumab biosimilar.

Phase III trials started for bevacizumab and natalizumab biosimilars

Phase III trials have started for proposed biosimilars of bevacizumab and natalizumab.

EC approval for subcutaneous infliximab biosimilar Remsima SC

South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion Healthcare (Celltrion) announced on 26 November 2019 that it had received European Commission (EC) approval for the subcutaneous (SC) formulation of its infliximab biosimilar (CT-P13) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Lupin to launch etanercept and pegfilgrastim biosimilars in the US

India-based generics maker Lupin, which is expecting European approval for its etanercept biosimilar in March 2020, has announced plans to launch the drug on the US market soon after, alongside a pegfilgrastim biosimilar.

FDA approves adalimumab biosimilar Abrilada

US-based pharma giant Pfizer announced on 18 November 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its adalimumab biosimilar (PF 06410293).

Qilu starts phase III trial for denosumab copy biological

Chinese pharmaceutical company, Qilu Pharmaceutical (Qilu) is carrying out a phase III clinical trial for a copy biological of Amgen’s Prolia/Xgeva (denosumab).