Biosimilars/News

Revance Therapeutics focus on its own Botox biosimilar as work with Mylan is stalled

Biosimilars/News | Posted 13/09/2019

As Revance gives Mylan more time to decide whether to develop their joint Botox biosimilar, the firm is continuing to focus on its own Botox biosimilar, DAXI. It aims to launch the product in 2020.

Mylan launches adalimumab biosimilar Hulio in Spain

Biosimilars/News | Posted 06/09/2019

US-based drugmaker Mylan announced on 9 July 2019 the launch of its adalimumab biosimilar, Hulio, in Spain; the company’s first biosimilar in the country.

Heparin biosimilar to be marketed in Canada

Biosimilars/News | Posted 30/08/2019

Canadian pharmaceuticals firm Valeo Pharma Inc has been given the rights to market a biosimilar version of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), which is used to prevent blood clots in a range of conditions.

Trastuzumab biosimilar to be distributed by Mundipharma

Biosimilars/News | Posted 30/08/2019

Singapore-based Prestige BioPharma’s (Prestige) trastuzumab biosimilar Tuznue (HD201) will be distributed in selected European markets exclusively by UK-based Mundipharma International (Mundipharma) and its independent associated companies. Tuznue is a biosimilar of Roche’s Herceptin (trastuzumab) which is used to treat patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-overexpressing breast cancer, HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

Mylan launches first trastuzumab biosimilar in Australia

Biosimilars/News | Posted 23/08/2019

Global generics firm Mylan NV (Mylan) and collaborating Indian pharmaceuticals giant Biocon Ltd (Biocon) have announced the launch of the first trastuzumab biosimilar in Australia. The drug can be used to treat breast and stomach cancers and will be marketed as Ogivri.

Samsung Bioepis starts phase III trial for eculizumab copy biological

Biosimilars/News | Posted 23/08/2019

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

Korean firms to launch biosimilars in Japan despite trade tensions

Biosimilars/News | Posted 16/08/2019

Despite increasing trade tensions between Japan and Korea, two Korean firms have confirmed that they intend to move ahead with the launch of their darbepoetin alfa biosimilars in Japan in the second half of 2019.

FDA approves adalimumab biosimilar Hadlima

Biosimilars/News | Posted 16/08/2019

Korea-based biosimilars maker Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) announced on 24 July 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its adalimumab biosimilar (SB5).

EMA accepts first application for Chinese-made biosimilar HLX02

Biosimilars/News | Posted 09/08/2019

China-based Shanghai Henlius Biotech (Henlius) announced on 21 June 2019 that the regulatory submission for its proposed trastuzumab biosimilar (HLX02) had been accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Rituximab copy biological accepted for review in China

Biosimilars/News | Posted 09/08/2019

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), has accepted an application for approval of rituximab copy biological IBI301.

FDA approves rituximab biosimilar Ruxience

Biosimilars/News | Posted 02/08/2019

US-based pharma giant Pfizer announced on 23 July 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its rituximab biosimilar (PF 05280586).

Lannett starts phase I trial for insulin glargine biosimilar in South Africa

Biosimilars/News | Posted 02/08/2019

US generics maker Lannett Company (Lannett) announced on 5 June 2019 that it had started a phase I clinical trial of its candidate insulin glargine biosimilar.

EMA accepts application for bevacizumab biosimilar from Samsung Bioepis

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/07/2019

Korea-based Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) announced on 19 July 2019 that the application for approval for its proposed bevacizumab biosimilar SB8 has been accepted for review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Sandoz to start phase III trial for denosumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/07/2019

Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, is planning to start a phase III trial for its candidate denosumab biosimilar GP2411 in patients with post-menopausal osteoporosis in collaboration with Germany-based biosimilars maker Hexal.

FDA approves bevacizumab biosimilar Zirabev

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/07/2019

US-based pharma giant Pfizer announced on 28 June 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its bevacizumab biosimilar Zirabev (PF-06439535).

FDA approves trastuzumab biosimilar Kanjinti

Biosimilars/News | Posted 21/06/2019

US-based pharma giant Amgen and Netherlands-based Allergan announced on 13 June 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its trastuzumab biosimilar Kanjinti (ABP 980).

Alteogen gains approval to start aflibercept biosimilar trial in Korea

Biosimilars/News | Posted 21/06/2019

South Korean biologicals company Alteogen announced on 22 May 2019 that it had gained approval from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) to initiate a clinical trial for its aflibercept biosimilar, ALT‑L9.

Trastuzumab biosimilar from Prestige accepted for review by EMA

Biosimilars/News | Posted 14/06/2019

Singapore-based Prestige BioPharma (Prestige) announced on 28 May 2019 that the regulatory submission for its proposed trastuzumab biosimilar Tuznue (HD201) had been accepted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Brazilian approval for trastuzumab follow-on biological Herzuma (trastuzumab-pkrb)

Biosimilars/News | Posted 14/06/2019

South Korean biosimilars firm Celltrion announced on 23 May 2019 that the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, ANVISA) had approved its trastuzumab follow-on biological, Herzuma (trastuzumab-pkrb).

Sandoz’s rosuvastatin approved under China’s new Quality Consistency Evaluation system

Biosimilars/News | Posted 14/06/2019

Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, announced on 9 May 2019 that it had received regulatory approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its generic rosuvastatin, under the recently introduced Quality Consistency Evaluation (QCE) system.

Brazilian approval for trastuzumab follow-on biological Ontruzant

Biosimilars/News | Posted 07/06/2019

Korea-based Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) announced on 27 May 2019 that the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, ANVISA) had approved its trastuzumab follow-on biological, Ontruzant.

Trastuzumab biosimilar Ogivri approved in Canada

Biosimilars/News | Posted 07/06/2019

India-based biologicals specialist Biocon and US-based partner Mylan announced on 22 May 2019 that Health Canada had approved Mylan’s trastuzumab biosimilar Ogivri.

NeuClone to start phase I trial for ustekinumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 31/05/2019

Australian biologicals company NeuClone announced on 15 May 2019 that it would start a phase I clinical trial of its ustekinumab biosimilar, NeuLara, in the second half of 2019.

Russian approval for non-originator eculizumab

Biosimilars/News | Posted 24/05/2019

Russian biotechnology company Generium and Swiss-based cell-line producer Selexis announced on 9 April 2019 that the Russian Ministry of Health had approved their eculizumab non-originator biological drug, Elizaria. The drug is a non-originator biological of Soliris (eculizumab), which is made by Alexion Pharmaceuticals.

Adalimumab biosimilar Idacio launched in Germany

Biosimilars/News | Posted 17/05/2019

Fresenius Kabi, one of the independently operated business segments of global healthcare group Fresenius, announced on 3 May 2019 that it had launched its adalimumab biosimilar Idacio in Germany.

EMA approval for pegfilgrastim biosimilar Grasustek

Biosimilars/News | Posted 10/05/2019

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 26 April 2019 that it had recommended the granting of a marketing authorization for the pegfilgrastim biosimilar Grasustek.

FDA approves etanercept biosimilar Eticovo

Biosimilars/News | Posted 03/05/2019

Korean biosimilars maker Samsung Bioepis (Samsung and Biogen’s joint venture) announced on 25 April 2019 that it had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its etanercept biosimilar.

Intas launches trastuzumab similar biologic in India at 65% discount

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/04/2019

India-based generics maker Intas Pharmaceuticals (Intas) announced on 9 April 2019 the launch of its product Eleftha, a ‘similar biologic’ of trastuzumab, in India. The new product, claims the company, will bring down the cost of breast cancer treatment by nearly 65%.

Rituximab biosimilar Truxima approved in Canada

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/04/2019

Teva Canada Innovation, a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, announced on 10 April 2019 that Health Canada had approved its rituximab biosimilar Truxima. This marks the first rituximab biosimilar to be approved by the Canadian medicines’ regulator.

EC approval for adalimumab biosimilar Idacio

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/04/2019

Fresenius Kabi, the generics unit of German healthcare giant Fresenius, announced on 3 April 2019 that it had received European Commission (EC) approval for its adalimumab biosimilar Idacio (MSB11455).

Sandoz resubmits pegfilgrastim biosimilar to FDA

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/04/2019

Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, announced on 3 April 2019 that the regulatory submission for its proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar (LA-EP2006) had been accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Japanese approval for Lupin’s etanercept biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 01/04/2019

Indian generics manufacturer Lupin Pharmaceuticals (Lupin) announced on 26 March 2019 that its joint venture YL Biologics and Lupin (through its Japanese subsidiary, Kyowa Pharmaceutical Industry) had received approval from Japan’s medicines regulatory agency, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), for its etanercept biosimilar YLB113 in Japan.

Bio-Thera advances bevacizumab and tocilizumab copy biologicals

Biosimilars/News | Posted 01/04/2019

China-based Bio‑Thera Solutions (Bio‑Thera) has made a licensing agreement for its bevacizumab copy biological and has started a phase III trial for its tocilizumab copy biological.

FDA approves trastuzumab biosimilar Trazimera

Biosimilars/News | Posted 22/03/2019

Pharma giant Pfizer announced on 11 March 2019 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved its biosimilar version of Roche’s Herceptin (trastuzumab).

China approves rituximab copy biological

Biosimilars/News | Posted 15/03/2019

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), announced on 22 February 2019 that it had approved Hanlikon, a rituximab copy biological.

UK’s NICE recommends pertuzumab with biosimilar trastuzumab

Biosimilars/News | Posted 15/03/2019

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended originator pertuzumab with intravenous biosimilar trastuzumab and chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer.

EC approval for bevacizumab biosimilar Zirabev

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/03/2019

US-based drugmaker pharma giant Pfizer announced on 19 February 2019 that it had received European Commission (EC) approval for its bevacizumab biosimilar Zirabev (PF 06439535).

Monoclonal antibody copy biologicals accepted for review in China

Biosimilars/News | Posted 01/03/2019

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), formerly the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), has accepted applications for approval of two monoclonal antibody copy biologicals (IB 305 and HLX22).

EC approval for pegfilgrastim biosimilar Fulphila

Biosimilars/News | Posted 22/02/2019

In January 2019, the pegfilgrastim biosimilar, Fulphila, received European Commission (EC) approval.

Three FDA approvals for Glenmark as it enters US branded dermatology market

Biosimilars/News | Posted 22/02/2019

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc has been granted approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its generic versions of Zytiga, DermOtic oil and Qudexy XR, and has announced its entry into the US branded dermatology segment.