Biosimilars/News

EMA recommends approval for ustekinumab biosimilar Absimky and Imuldosa

Biosimilars/News | Posted 26/11/2024

On 17 October 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending the granting of marketing authorization for Accord’s Absimky and Imuldosa, both of which are ustekinumab biosimilars referencing Janssen/Johnson & Johnson’s Stelara.

Canada approves pegfilgrastim biosimilar Armlupeg

Biosimilars/News | Posted 20/11/2024

India-based Lupin Limited (Lupin) announced on 23 August 2024 that it received marketing approval from Health Canada for its biosimilar pegfilgrastim biosimilar, which will be marketed as Armlupeg.

FDA approves fifth ustekinumab biosimilar Imuldosa

Biosimilars/News | Posted 13/11/2024

On 10 October 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Accord’s Imuldosa (ustekinumab-srlf), making it the fifth ustekinumab biosimilar referencing Janssen/Johnson & Johnson’s Stelara.

EC approval for three ustekinumab biosimilars: Eksunbi, Fymskina, Otulfi

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/11/2024

The European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for three ustekinumab biosimilars: Samsung Bioepis’ Eksunbi on 12 September 2024; Formycon’s Fymskina, and Fresenius Kabi’s Otulfi on 25 September 2024.

FDA approves biosimilars: ustekinumab Otulfi and eculizumab Epysqli

Biosimilars/News | Posted 29/10/2024

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for two biosimilars, Formycon’s FYB202/Otulfi (ustekinumab-aauz) and Samsung Bioepis’ Soliris biosimilar, Epysqli (eculizumab-aagh), on 27 September and 22 July 2024, respectively. FYB202/Otulfi, a biosimilar referencing Johnson & Johnson’s Stelara, while Epysqli is a biosimilar referencing Alexion’s Soliris.

FDA approves second strength of trastuzumab biosimilar Hercessi

Biosimilars/News | Posted 23/10/2024

On 18 September 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for a second strength for Accord’s Hercessi (trastuzumab-strf), a biosimilar referencing Roche’s Herceptin.

EMA recommends approval of aflibercept biosimilars Afqlir and Opuviz

Biosimilars/News | Posted 23/10/2024

On 19 September 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of marketing authorization for two aflibercept biosimilars: Sandoz’s Afqlir and Samsung Bioepis’s Opuviz. These products are biosimilars of the reference product Eylea, developed by Regeneron and Bayer.

FDA approves aflibercept biosimilars Enzeevu and Pavblu

Biosimilars/News | Posted 15/10/2024

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two more aflibercept biosimilars in August 2024. FDA granted approval for Sandoz’s Enzeevu (aflibercept-abzv) and Amgen’s Pavblu (aflibercept-ayyh) on 12 and 23 August 2024, respectively, making them the fourth and fifth approvals for a biosimilar referencing Eylea.

EC approvals of four biosimilars: Tofidence, Wezenla, Avzivi and SteQeyma

Biosimilars/News | Posted 08/10/2024

The European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for four biosimilars between June and August 2024. In August 2024, the EC approved Celltrion’s SteQeyma (ustekinumab), in July 2024, Bio-Thera’s Avzivi (bevacizumab), and in June 2024, Amgen’s Wezenla (ustekinumab) and Biogen/Bio-Thera’s Tofidence (tocilizumab).

Canada approves trastuzumab Adheroza and ustekinumab Steqeyma biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 01/10/2024

In August 2024, Henlius Biotech's trastuzumab biosimilar, Adheroza, received marketing approval from Health Canada. In July 2024, Celltrion’s ustekinumab biosimilar, Steqeyma (CT-P43), also gained Health Canada approval.

EMA recommends approval of ranibizumab, rituximab and trastuzumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 24/09/2024

On 25 July 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending the granting of marketing authorization for three more monoclonal antibody biosimilars: ranibizumab, rituximab, and trastuzumab.

COFEPRIS approves bevacizumab Bhava and trastuzumab Mamitra biocomparables

Biosimilars/News | Posted 18/09/2024

In July 2024, the Mexican regulatory authority COFEPRIS (Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risk, Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios), approved two biocomparables – bevacizumab Bhava and trastuzumab Mamitra – from India-based Zydus.

EMA recommends approval of four ustekinumab biosimilars: Eksunbi, Fymskina, Otulfi, Steqeyma

Biosimilars/News | Posted 10/09/2024

On 25 July and 27 June 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending the granting of marketing authorization for four ustekinumab biosimilars.

FDA approves filgrastim biosimilar Nypozi

Biosimilars/News | Posted 04/09/2024

In addition to the biosimilars approval of Pyzchiva (ustekinumab-ttwe), with a provisional determination for interchangeability designation [1], and Ahzantive (aflibercept-mrbb) [2] on 28 June 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also approved Tanvex BioPharma’s Nypozi (filgrastim-txid) biosimilar, which references Amgen’s Neupogen.

FDA approves third aflibercept biosimilar Ahzantive

Biosimilars/News | Posted 13/08/2024

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was busy in June 2024. On 28 June 2024, the FDA granted approval for Formycon’s Ahzantive (aflibercept-mrbb), making it the third approval for a biosimilar referencing Eylea.

Richmond to launch similar biologicals bevacizumab Yriviak and adalimumab Armixa

Biosimilars/News | Posted 06/08/2024

On 22 July 2024, the Argentina-based Laboratorios Richmond announced the launch of Yriviak, a bevacizumab similar biological, in Argentina. In the coming months, Richmond plans to launch their adalimumab similar biological, Armixa.

China approves Simcare’s cetuximab beta Enlituo

Biosimilars/News | Posted 30/07/2024

On 25 June 2024, Simcere Zaiming, a subsidiary of Simcere Pharmaceutical Group based in Nanjing, China, announced that Enlituo, a cetuximab beta injection, had received marketing approval from the China National Medical Administration (NMPA). This new-generation anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody drug was developed in collaboration with Mabpharm Limited.

FDA approves third ustekinumab biosimilar Pyzchiva

Biosimilars/News | Posted 16/07/2024

On 28 June 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a third ustekinumab biosimilar, Pyzchiva (ustekinumab-ttwe). This product has been developed by Samsung Bioepis and is commercialised by Sandoz. It is a biosimilar of reference product Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) Stelera.

FDA approves first eculizumab biosimilar Bkemv for two rare diseases

Biosimilars/News | Posted 09/07/2024

On 28 May 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Amgen's Bkemv (eculizumab-aeeb), the first biosimilar to AstraZeneca's rare blood disorder treatment Soliris approved in the US.

EC biosimilar approvals: Omlyclo, Jubbonti/Wyost, and Pyzchiva

Biosimilars/News | Posted 03/07/2024

The European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for four biosimilars. They are Celltrion’s Omlyclo (omalizumab), Sandoz’s denosumab biosimilars Jubbonti and Wyost, and Samsung Bioepis’ Pyzchiva (ustekinumab). Furthermore, the EC approves expanded indication for Samsung Bioepis' Epysqli (eculizumab) to include treatment of atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS).

EMA recommends approval of biosimilar bevacizumab Avzivi

Biosimilars/News | Posted 25/06/2024

On 30 May 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending the granting of marketing authorization for Avzivi (bevacizumab), Bio-Thera Solutions’ (Bio-Thera) biosimilar of the reference product Avastin.

FDA approves first interchangeable aflibercept biosimilars to treat macular degeneration

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/06/2024

On 20 May 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Biocon Biologic’s Yesafili (aflibercept-jbvf) and Samsung Bioepis and Biogen's Opuviz (aflibercept-yszy) as the first interchangeable biosimilars to Regeneron and Bayer's Eylea (aflibercept). The Samsung Bioepis product has also been launched in South Korea under brand name, Afilivu.

FDA approves ustekinumab, trastuzumab, and tocilizumab biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 19/06/2024

In April 2024, the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) approved Alvotech and Teva’s Selarsdi (ustekinumab-aekn), a biosimilar to Stelara and Shanghai Henlius Biotech’s Herceptin biosimilar, Hercessi (trastuzumab-strf). This comes after the March 2024 news of the approval of Fresenius Kabi’s Tyenne (tocilizumab-aazg), the first tocilizumab biosimilar with an intravenous and subcutaneous formulation.

Update of biosimilars approved by Health Canada in 2023

Biosimilars/News | Posted 12/06/2024

Since November 2023, Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, has approved no fewer than five biosimilars for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), cancer, plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and several serious retinal diseases, such as wet age-related macular degeneration.

EMA recommends approval of biosimilar tocilizumab Tofidence and ustekinumab Wezenla

Biosimilars/News | Posted 05/06/2024

On 25 April 2024, the European Medicine Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted positive opinions for two biosimilar medicines: Tofidence (tocilizumab) and Wezenla (ustekinumab), recommending the granting of marketing authorization. This comes following news that Wezlana reached the market in Canada in early March 2024.

Canada approves three more biosimilars in 2022

Biosimilars/News | Posted 28/05/2024

Since the last update in June 2022, Health Canada has approved three more biosimilars (Myxredlin, Rymti, Elonox) in 2022 [1].

EMA recommends approval of bevacizumab Lytenava

Biosimilars/News | Posted 22/05/2024

On 21 March 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorization (MA) for Outlook Therapeutics’ Lytenava (ONS-5010, bevacizumab gamma), intended for treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Three more biosimilar approvals in Canada in 2023

Biosimilars/News | Posted 14/05/2024

In Canada, three biosimilars were approved in late 2023. These are, Amgen’s Wezlana (ustekinumab), JAMP/Alvotech’s Jamteki (ustekinumab), and Formycon/Polpharma Biologics/Bioeq’s Ranopto (ranibizumab).

FDA approves interchangeable adalimumab biosimilar Simlandi

Biosimilars/News | Posted 11/03/2024

On 23 February 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Alvotech and Teva’s Simlandi (adalimumab-ryvk) injection as an interchangeable biosimilar to AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab).

EMA recommends approval of first omalizumab biosimilar Omlyclo

Biosimilars/News | Posted 07/05/2024

On 21 March 2024, the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of marketing authorization for Omlyclo (omalizumab), Celltrion's biosimilar of the reference product Xolair.

China approves first denosumab copy biological Maiweijian

Biosimilars/News | Posted 16/04/2024

On 3 April 2024, China-based biopharmaceutical company Mabwell announced that their Maiweijian (denosumab) injection, developed by its wholly-owned subsidiary T-mab, obtained the marketing approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). This product is the first denosumab copy biologicalto receive marketing approval in China.

EMA recommends approval of first denosumab biosimilar Jubbonti and Wyost

Biosimilars/News | Posted 09/04/2024

On 21 March 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorisation for Sandoz’s medicinal products, Jubbonti and Wyost (denosumab), which are biosimilars of Amgen’s reference products Prolia and Xgeva, respectively.

First denosumab biosimilars approved in Canada and the US

Biosimilars/News | Posted 03/04/2024

The first and only denosumab biosimilars for osteoporosis and increasing bone mass were approved in Canada and the US in February and March 2024.

Clinical study advances for Alvotech golimumab and Dr Reddy’s rituximab biosimilars

Biosimilars/News | Posted 03/02/2023

In January 2023, Alvotech announced that it has initiated a pharmacokinetic study for AVT05, a biosimilar candidate to Simponi® and Simponi Aria® (golimumab). In addition, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd announced the successful completion of clinical studies of its proposed rituximab biosimilar candidate, DRL_RI. This is now ready for filing in markets such as the US and Europe.

Dr Reddy's launches bevacizumab biosimilar Versavo in the UK

Biosimilars/News | Posted 27/03/2024

On 19 March 2024, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories announced that it would be launching Versavo, a bevacizumab biosimilar, in the UK.

EMA recommends approval of ustekinumab biosimilar Pyzchiva

Biosimilars/News | Posted 22/03/2024

On 22 February 2024, the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorization for the medicinal product Pyzchiva (ustekinumab), a biosimilar of reference product Stelara.

EC approval of ranibizumab biosimilar Rimmyrah

Biosimilars/News | Posted 07/03/2024

The European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorization for ranibizumab biosimilar Rimmyrah on 5 January 2024. The biosimilar was developed by Qilu Pharma.

FDA BLA updates from Celltrion and Accord

Biosimilars/News | Posted 29/02/2024

In January 2024, Celltrion submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for CT-P47, a biosimilar candidate of the reference product Actemra ( tocilizumab). In addition, Accord BioPharma, announced that the FDA accepted its BLA for DMB-311, a biosimilar to Stelara (ustekinumab), approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.

FDA approves pegfilgrastim biosimilar Udenyca OnBody autoinjector

Biosimilars/News | Posted 06/02/2024

On 26 December 2023, Coherus BioSciences announced the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of Udenyca OnBody, an on-body injector (OBI) presentation of Udenyca (pegfilgrastim-cbqv), a pegfilgrastim biosimilar administered the day after chemotherapy to decrease the incidence of infection as manifested by febrile neutropenia.

FDA approves bevacizumab biosimilar Avzivi

Biosimilars/News | Posted 30/01/2024

On 6 December 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved China–based manufacturer Bio-Thera Solutions’ bevacizumab biosimilar (BAT1706), Avzivi (bevacizumab-tnjn). This product will be marketed globally by Sandoz.