Abstract: Two biosimilar TNF-alfa monoclonal antibody (mAb) products were approved for clinical use in the European Union on 10 September 2013, following a positive opinion by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) in July 2013. The products, with trade names Remsima and Inflectra (INNs infliximab) contain an identical mAb. This approval shows…

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

biosimilar, EPAR, infliximab, monoclonal antibodies

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2014.0301.004

Author byline as per print journal: Steven Simoens, PhD; Claude Le Pen, PhD; Niels Boone, PharmD; Ferdinand Breedveld, MD, PhD; Antonella Celano; Antonio Llombart-Cussac, MD, PhD; Frank Jorgensen, MPharm, MM; Andras Süle, PhD; Ad A van Bodegraven, MD, PhD; Rene Westhovens, MD, PhD; Jo De Cock Introduction/Objectives: This manuscript aims to provide guidance to policymakers with…

Author(s): Ad A van Bodegraven, MD, PhD, Andras Süle, PhD, Antonella Celano, Antonio Llombart Cussac, MD, PhD, Frank Jorgensen, MPharm, MM, Jo De Cock, Niels Boone, PharmD, Professor Claude Le Pen, PhD, Professor Ferdinand Breedveld, MD, PhD, Rene Westhovens, MD, PhD, Steven Simoens, MSc, PhD

biologicals, biosimilars, competition, Europe, policy, sustainability

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2018.0702.014

Abstract: As the number of innovator biologics and biosimilars increases worldwide, a growing debate has focused on how these products should be named. The simple concept of a name can have significant impact on prescribing, dispensing, and adverse event reporting processes and, consequently, patient safety. Submitted: 2 January 2014; Revised: 10 January 2014; Accepted: 11…

Author(s): Emily A Alexander, JD

adverse event reporting, biosimilars, naming

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2014.0301.005

Abstract: For harmonization of the authorization requirements for specific generic applications within the EU, consistent criteria were drafted for 16 active substances, which are out now for public consultation. Submitted: 2 January 2014; Revised: 6 January 2014; Accepted: 7 January 2014; Published online first: 20 January 2014 Official draft guidance has recently become available for…

Author(s): Christoph Baumgärtel, MD, MSc

authorization, bioequivalence, generics, product-specific bioequivalence guidance

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2014.0301.009

Introduction: Many regulatory authorities have published requirements for the approval of biosimilar medicinal products. However, there is no guidance on which quantitative standards should be used to define how similar a follow-on product must be to be considered biosimilar. Sample sizes for clinical biosimilar trials using traditional designs often exceed 500 patients. Several publications have…

Author(s): Austin J Combest, PharmD, MBA, Song Wang, PhD, Brian T Healey, PharmD, MS, MBA, RAC, Dirk J Reitsma, MD

Bayesian design, biosimilar, drug development, repeated measures analysis, statistics strategy

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2014.0301.006

The European Medicines Agency recommends the use of pharmacodynamics (PD) markers when establishing biosimilarity, but no such biomarkers are known for the clinical efficacy of bevacizumab (Avastin). For this reason, confirmatory clinical efficacy studies are essential, write Hans Ebbers et al. of Utrecht University in The Netherlands [1]. The biosimilar monoclonal antibodies (mAb) guideline released…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2014.0301.013

Editor's Letter

Published on 05 December 2013

GaBI Journal publishes four issues in 2013

This issue marks the forth and final issue of the second year’s edition of the GaBI Journal. The journal has grown rapidly through the combined efforts of the publisher and her staff, all of the members of the executive editorial board and the international editorial advisory board, our contributors, advertisers and readers for which I…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0204.042

The approval of biosimilars in the European Union (EU) is governed by the EU biosimilar framework released in 2004. But new arrivals on the biosimilar stage – monoclonal antibodies – are forcing regulatory authorities to reconsider what constitutes a biosimilar, writes Dr Ebbers and co-authors [1]. Many monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) will lose patent protection in…

Author(s): GaBI Journal Editor

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0203.041

Abstract: Despite the fact that hepatitis C is a disease of global importance, many countries cannot afford the costly but effective combination treatment of peg-interferon and ribavirin, which was recently included in the World Health Organization Essential Medicines List. Given that peg-interferon is a biotechnological product, should low- to middle-income countries adopt the burdensome biosimilar…

Author(s): Armando A Genazzani, DPhil, MD, Nicola Magrini, MD

alternative therapeutic products, biosimilar, essential medicines, peginterferon, regulatory approval pathways, World Health Organization (WHO)

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0204.044

Abstract: Information about variable immunogenicity arising from formulation differences between competing biosimilars is critical for informed judgments by prescribing physicians. Use of a common INN for biosimilars will obfuscate such differences to the detriment of patients. Submitted: 31 October 2013; Revised: 12 November 2013; Accepted: 13 November 2013; Published online first: 26 November 2013 Immunogenicity…

Author(s): Edward T Maggio, PhD

immunogenicity, INN, neoantigen, neutralizing antibodies, oxidative damage, polysorbate, protein aggregation

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2013.0204.046

Author byline as per print journal: Professor Philip D Walson, MD, Professor Stefan Mühlebach, PhD, Beat Flühmann, PhD Introduction: In recent years a new category of medicinal products, the non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs) emerged. They are distinct from both the small molecules and the biological therapeutics by being composed of non-homomolecular large structures, some of…

Author(s): Beat Flühmann, PhD, Professor Philip D Walson, MD, Professor Stefan Mühlebach, PhD

follow-on drugs, nanomedicines, non-biological complex drug (NBCD), regulatory practice

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2014.0301.010

Abstract: In this paper, we provide an overview of a PhD project we undertook on European policy on generic medicines. In the course of our research, we identified various causes for delayed market access of generic medicines and the need for policies to accelerate market access. These should work in conjunction with policies designed to…

Author(s): Pieter Dylst, PharmD, Professor Arnold G Vulto, PharmD, PhD, FCP, Steven Simoens, MSc, PhD

demand-side policies, Europe, European policy, generic medicines, supply-side policies

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2014.0301.011