Introduction: Similar Biotherapeutic Products (SBPs or biosimilars) comprise a rapidly expanding area of therapeutics worldwide. However, best practices for their regulation are lacking in many Latin American countries. Methods: The first in a series of educational workshops on SBPs in Latin America was held in Mexico City on 20 January 2015. Didactic presentations covered the…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD, Robin Thorpe, PhD, FRCPath

biologicals, biosimilars, follow-on drugs, Latin America, Mexico, regulatory practice

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0403.031

Abstract: In South Africa, medicines are registered and regulated in terms of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act (Act 101 of 1965), as amended, and the regulations to this Act. A guideline which outlines the quality, non-clinical and clinical requirements for the registration of a biosimilar medicine was first published in March 2012. This…

Author(s): Khamusi Philip Mutoti, BSc, BPharm Sci, Professor Nontombe Mbelle, MChB, MMed, FC Path (CMSA), Henry MJ Leng, PhD

biosimilars, comparative studies, registration requirements

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0403.033

Abstract: Austria has seen considerable savings with generics, due to its unique pricing system. Generic medicine penetration is, however, not as advanced as in other European countries. Additional savings could be made, provided certain measures are implemented. Submitted: 27 May 2015; Revised: 5 June 2015; Accepted: 8 June 2015; Published online first: 22 June 2015…

Author(s): Christoph Baumgärtel, MD, MSc

Austria, generics, prices

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0403.030

Abstract: The first recognized and trusted generic drugs were launched in France in 1995, at the same time that the Prime Minister Alain Juppé introduced his new plan on Retirement and Social Security. It has taken 20 years for generic drugs to become integrated into the pharmacy community, and for acceptance to be reached by…

Author(s): Jacques Rottembourg, MD, Jessica Nasica-Labouze, PhD

biosimilars, generic drug repertory, generics, non-biological complex drug (NBCD)

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0403.029

Abstract: Biosimilars should be approved for all the clinical indications of the reference product based on the totality of the evidence even if there is no clinical safety and efficacy data for each indication. The foundation of biosimilar development is the demonstration that chemical, physical and biological parameters are highly similar to the reference product.…

Author(s): David R Gaugh, RPh, Theresa L Gerrard, PhD, Gordon Johnston, RPh, MS

biosimilar, clinical indication, comparability, extrapolation

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0403.027

Abstract: Biosimilars are highly similar versions of reference biological products, some with the potential to be deemed ‘interchangeable’ by regulatory bodies, such as the US Food and Drug Administration. Biosimilar patent litigation continues to evolve as biosimilars enter new global markets. This manuscript takes a look at patent litigation strategies in a more developed biosimilars…

Author(s): Brian J Malkin, Esq

biosimilars, follow-on biological, Inter Partes Review, litigation, opposition, patent

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0403.026

Author byline as per print journal: Brian Godman, BSc, PhD; Michael Wilcock, MPharm; Andrew Martin, MPharm; Scott Bryson, MSc, MPH; Christoph Baumgärtel, MD; Tomasz Bochenek, MD, MPH, PhD; Winne de Bruyn, BSc; Ljiljana Sović Brkičić, MPharm; Marco D’Agata, MSc; Antra Fogele, PhD; Anna Coma Fusté, MSc; Jessica Fraeyman, PhD; Jurij Fürst, MD; Kristina Garuoliene, MD, PhD; Harald Herholz, MD,…

Author(s): Brian Godman, BSc, PhD, et al.

generics, health authorities, Lyrica, pregabalin

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0403.028

Author byline as per print journal: Robin Thorpe, PhD, FRCPath; Meenu Wadhwa, PhD Abstract: Comment on the Letter to the Editor by Professor Abdol Majid Cheraghali: Access to alternative biopharmaceuticals in low- and middle-income countries, published in GaBI Journal, 2014;4(3):164-5. Submitted: 7 June 2015; Revised: 8 June 2015; Accepted: 8 June 2015; Published online first: 22…

Author(s): Meenu Wadhwa, PhD, Robin Thorpe, PhD, FRCPath

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0403.024

Abstract: A novel global and company specific biological qualifier, distinct from the International Nonproprietary Name (INN), is proposed by World Health Organization (WHO) for all biological active substances. Submitted: 14 May 2015; Revised: 2 July 2015; Accepted: 6 July 2015; Published online first: 20 July 2015 Introduction to INN The concept of one single non-proprietary…

Author(s): James S Robertson, PhD

biological active substances, Biological Qualifier (BQ), biosimilars, international non-proprietary names

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0403.025

Abstract: The substantial improvement in the power of analytical methods to compare different versions of a given protein molecule should be taken into account when considering the value of clinical studies for designation of biosimilarity. Arguably, demonstration of comparative pharmacokinetic, allied to post-registration monitoring, will provide more discriminatory clinical evidence than large pre-approval therapeutic equivalence…

Author(s): Frits Lekkerkerker, MD

analytical, biosimilar, comparability, quality, registration, similarity

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0403.023

Editor's Letter

Published on 16 September 2015

Latest features in GaBI Journal, 2015, Issue 3

This issue of the journal contains a number of manuscripts that discuss proposals to simplify the evaluation of, and therefore decrease the cost of developing, follow-on biological products. These controversial proposals include extrapolation of indications, abbreviated approval processes in resource-poor countries, biological/biosimilar nomenclature, and patent litigation strategies. Dr Frits Lekkerkerker, reviews the paper by Gerrard…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0403.022

Abstract: Regulations for biosimilars in the Republic of Korea have been in place since 2009. Since then, the country has also put in place specific guidelines and approved four biosimilars. Submitted: 18 December 2014; Revised: 23 February 2015; Accepted: 9 March 2015; Published online first: 20 March 2015 The legislative basis for the regulation of…

Author(s): Jeewon Joung, PhD

biosimilar, guidelines, regulation, Republic of Korea

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2015.0402.019