EMA accepts application for trastuzumab biosimilar

Biosimilars/News | Posted 07/10/2016 post-comment0 Post your comment

Samsung Bioepis, which is a joint venture between South Korean electronics giant Samsung and biotechnology company Biogen, announced on 3 October 2016 that its regulatory submission for its proposed trastuzumab biosimilar (SB3) had been accepted for review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The company says the marketing application was submitted in August 2016.

Application V15a16

Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that interferes with the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neu receptor. In some cancers, notably certain types of breast cancer, HER2 is over-expressed, and causes cancer cells to reproduce uncontrollably. Trastuzumab is therefore used to treat certain breast cancers.

The product is a proposed biosimilar to Roche’s Herceptin (trastuzumab), which had worldwide sales of CHF 6.5 billion (US$6.6 billion) in 2015, making it a lucrative target for biosimilars’ manufacturers. The patents on Herceptin expired in Europe in July 2014 and will expire in the US in June 2019 [1].

SB3 is the fifth biosimilar candidate Samsung Bioepis has submitted to EMA, following SB4 (etanercept), SB2 (infliximab), SB9 (insulin glargine) and SB5 (adalimumab). Benepali (SB4) and Flixabi (SB2) received a positive opinion from the agency and were subsequently approved by the European Commission in January and May 2016, respectively [1].

Samsung Bioepis is working on a pipeline of 13 biosimilar candidates, which, in addition to the biosimilar candidates mentioned above, also includes SB8, a biosimilar referencing Avastin (bevacizumab).

SB3 is the company’s first oncology biosimilar candidate submitted for regulatory review in Europe. If approved, the marketing and distribution of SB3 in Europe will be handled by Merck.

Related article
EMA recommends approval of infliximab biosimilar Flixabi

Reference
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Biosimilars approved in Europe [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2016 Oct 7]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Biosimilars-approved-in-Europe

Permission granted to reproduce for personal and non-commercial use only. All other reproduction, copy or reprinting of all or part of any ‘Content’ found on this website is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. Contact the publisher to obtain permission before redistributing.

Copyright – Unless otherwise stated all contents of this website are © 2016 Pro Pharma Communications International. All Rights Reserved.

Source: Samsung Bioepis

comment icon Comments (0)
Post your comment
Related content
EC approval of first ustekinumab biosimilar Uzpruvo
IBD 1
Biosimilars/News Posted 16/01/2024
Most viewed articles
About GaBI
Home/About GaBI Posted 06/08/2009
EU guidelines for biosimilars
EMA logo 1 V13C15
Home/Guidelines Posted 08/10/2010