Author byline as per print journal: Rieke Alten1, MD, PhD; Herbert Kellner2, MD; Malcolm Boyce3, MD; Takuma Yonemura4, MD; Takahiro Ito5, MSc; Mark C Genovese6, MD Introduction/Study objectives: FKB327 is a biosimilar of the adalimumab reference product. Studies in healthy subjects and patients with rheumatoid arthritis demonstrated biosimilarity between FKB327 and the reference product in…

adalimumab, anti-TNF therapy, biosimilars, clinical trials, injection-site pain, rheumatoid arthritis

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0903.019

Author byline as per print journal: Toshihiko Hibino1, MD; Tomohiko Yoshida2, MD, PhD; Akira Sagawa3, MD, PhD; Ikuko Masuda4, MD, PhD; Takaaki Fukuda5, MD Introduction/Study objective: Needle fear is common among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who require subcutaneous (SC) injections. The convenience, usability and safety of the etanercept biosimilar YLB113 in an injection pen…

etanercept, injection pen, needle fear, rheumatoid arthritis, usability, YLB113

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0903.018

Abstract: Regulatory standards for recombinant DNA (rDNA)-derived medicinal products put in place over 40 years ago provided a framework for moving forward with novel biotechnologies and biosimilars leading to their success as highly eff ective medicines. As biologicals and biosimilars are increasingly developed, licensed and used worldwide less experienced manufacturers and regulatory agencies need support…

Author(s): Elwyn Griffiths, DSc, PhD

ASEAN, biologicals, biosimilars, GMP, regulatory harmonization

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0903.017

Editor's Letter

Published on 22 September 2020

Latest features in GaBI Journal, 2020, Issue 3

The Commentary in this issue of the GaBI Journal by Dr Elwyn Griffiths discusses the need for more global harmonization of regulatory approaches to biological medicines. Dr Griffiths refers to the conclusions of the GaBI organized ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation) conference on this topic. Similar calls have however come from participants in other…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0903.016

Abstract: Differences between the US and European regulatory processes can lead to differences in the time taken for biosimilar approval. The European Medicines Agency is in some cases quicker to approve biosimilar drugs and Europe has overall more approved biosimilars, whilst the US approved the first biosimilar in 2015. Whatever the market, there are a…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

biosimilar, EMA, regulation, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0902.015

Abstract: Clinical trials must demonstrate biosimilarity for regulatory marketing approval to be granted. The GaBI Journal has conducted a search for clinical trials that have been, or are being, carried out for trastuzumab biosimilars. Submitted: 26 March 2020; Revised: 2 April 2020; Accepted: 2 April 2020; Published online first: 15 April 2020 Roche’s originator trastuzumab…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

biosimilar, clinical trials, trastuzumab

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0902.014

Author byline as per print journal: Professor Philip J Schneider1, MS, FASHP, FASPEN, FFIP; Michael S Reilly2, Esq Abstract: Approximately 25% of all new medicines approved in recent years and in development today are biologicals. The complexity of biologicals, the investment needed to meet ever more stringent regulatory and payer requirements, combined with the needs…

Author(s): Michael S Reilly, Esq, Professor Philip J Schneider, MS, FASHP, FASPEN, FFIP

biologicals/biosimilars, competition, patients, procurement, substitution, sustainability

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0902.013

Submitted: 27 January 2020; Revised: 29 January 2020; Accepted: 29 January 2020; Published online first: 25 February 2020 Biological medical products (biologicals) are derived from living cells or organisms. Due to their complex structures and the inherent challenges for manufacturing, a degree of minor variability may exist between different batches of the same product and between…

Author(s): Kevin Klein, PhD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0902.012

Author byline as per print journal: Esteban Ortiz-Prado1,2, MD, MSc, MPH, PhD; Jorge Ponce-Zea3, MSc; Jorge E Vasconez1, MD; Diana Castillo,1, MD; Diana C Checa-Jaramillo1, MD; Nathalia Rodrí­guez-Burneo1, MD; Felipe Andrade2, MD; Damaris P Intriago-Baldeón4, MSc; Claudio Galarza-Maldonado5, MD, PhD Abstract: The number of approved biological medicines in the global pharmaceutical market has increased in…

biologicals, biopharmaceuticals, biosimilars, Latin America

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0902.011

Author byline as per print journal: Adjunct Associate Professor Sia Chong Hock, BSc (Pharm), MSc; Associate Professor Sia Ming Kian, BSc (Pharm) (Hons); Chan Lai Wah, BSc (Pharm) (Hons), PhD Abstract: Biopharmaceuticals belong to a class of medicinal products whose active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is manufactured using living systems such as microbial and mammalian cells.…

Author(s): Adjunct Associate Professor Sia Chong Hock, BSc (Pharm), MSc, Associate Professor Chan Lai Wah, BSc (Pharm) (Hon), PhD, Sia Ming Kian, BSc (Pharm) (Hons)

ASEAN, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, good manufacturing practice, harmonization, regulatory guidelines

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0902.010

Abstract: Knowledge of the higher order structure of proteins is important in biopharmacological studies, such as in biosimilar comparability studies. This paper describes the analytical methods available to determine higher order structures. It finds that, although other methods exist, spectroscopic methods remain most commonly used. Submitted: 7 February 2020; Revised: 7 March 2020; Accepted: 12…

Author(s): Professor Alain Astier, PharmD, PhD

analysis, biosimilar, protein, spectroscopy, structure

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0902.009

Editor's Letter

Published on 02 July 2020

What to look forward to in GaBI Journal, 2020, Issue 2

This issue of the GaBI Journal is being published as the global coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is expanding rapidly in many areas of the world including in the United States of America, South America, Asia, and Africa. While there is no known effective vaccine or cure, preliminary results have suggested that some treatments approved for…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2020.0902.008