Biosimilars/News
Europe: positive opinion for Inpremzia and Truvelog Mix 30 and Stimufend authorized
On 28 March 2022, the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for Fresenius Kabi's oncology biosimilar, Stimufend (pegfilgrastim); and the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 24 February 2022 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for an insulin aspart biosimilar and an insulin human (rDNA) biosimilar.
FDA approves Kashiv Biosciences’ filgrastim biosimilar
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a filgrastim biosimilar produced by India-based Kashiv Biosciences. The biosimilar will be marketed under the trade name Releuko (filgrastim-ayow).
Celltrion updates on Remsima and Yuflyma
South Korean biotechnology company Celltrion announced two new data sets on the subcutaneous formulation Remsima (infliximab) in a number of conditions in March 2022. This followed the February 2022 announcement that the high-concentration version of Celltrion’s autoimmune disease biosimilar Yuflyma (adalimumab) has received approval from the European Commission.
Henlius makes deal with Getz Pharma for adalimumab copy biological
China-based drugmaker Shanghai Henlius Biotech (Henlius) announced on 23 February 2022 that it had entered into a licensing and supply agreement with Pakistan-based Getz Pharma for its adalimumab copy biological, Handa Yuan (汉达远; HLX03).
Canada approves ranibizumab biosimilar Byooviz
The ranibizumab biosimilar Byooviz (SB11), produced by Samsung Bioepis and commercialized by Biogen, received approval from Canada’s drug regulator, Health Canada, on 8 March 2022. This is the first ranibizumab biosimilar to receive approval in Canada.
FDA accepts application for interchangeability of adalimumab biosimilar Abrilada
US-based pharma giant Pfizer announced on 25 February 2022 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted for review the Prior Approval Supplement (PAS) to the Biologics License Application (BLA) for Abrilada (adalimumab-afzb) as an interchangeable biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab).
Generium launches omalizumab (Xolair) non-originator in Russia
Moscow’s Generium has launched a non-originator biological of omalizumab (Xolair) on the Russian market, the third of Generium’s products using Selexis’ SUREtechnology Platform to reach the market.
EMA recommends approval of teriparatide and pegfilgrastim biosimilars
The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) announced on 28 January 2022 that it had recommended granting of marketing authorization for the teriparatide biosimilar Sondelbay and the pegfilgrastim biosimilar Stimufend.
Lupin forms partnership to market pegfilgrastim biosimilar in Brazil
Indian multinational pharmaceutical company Lupin Ltd (Lupin) has signed an agreement with Brazilian firm Biomm SA to distribute and market a pegfilgrastim biosimilar in Brazil. In related news, Indian firm Gland Pharma has announced plans to enter the market for biosimilar manufacturing.
Applications for adalimumab and trastuzumab biosimilars submitted to FDA
Korea-based Samsung Bioepis and partner US-based Organon announced on 5 January 2022 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had accepted the application for their proposed citrate-free, high-concentration (100 mg/mL) adalimumab biosimilar (SB5). A low-concentration formulation of SB5, Hadlima (adalimumab-bwwd), was approved in the US in July 2019 [1].
