Abstract: In principle, biosimilars could mitigate the problem of the rising cost of biological medicines. However, the current stringent and non-harmonized regulatory practices hinder competition and contribute to the high price level of biosimilars. The quality, safety, and efficacy of biosimilars developed, according to the current guidelines of ‘stringent’ regulatory agencies have proven to be…

Author(s): Adjunct Professor Pekka Kurki, MD, PhD

biosimilars, competition, controlled efficacy studies, harmonization

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2024.1301.004

Original Research

Published on 28 November 2023

Pharmacokinetic bioequivalence studies of a new Etoricoxib tablet formulation developed using proprietary MiST technology — risk assessment and mitigation using GastroPlus software

Author byline as per print journal: Dhananjay Panigrahi1, MPharm; Aditya Murthy2, MPharm, PhD; Shubham Jamdade2, MPharm; Manoj Gundeti2, MPharm; Nagarjun Rangaraj1, MPharm, PhD; Anup Avijit Choudhury1, MPharm; Tausif Ahmed2, MPharm, PhD; Venkat Ramana Naidu1, MPharm, PhD Introduction: In this work, we present model` guided development of a new Etoricoxib tablet formulation using a proprietary technology.…

etoricoxib, GastroPlus®, modelling and simulation, PBBM, spray granulation, virtual bioequivalence

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2024.1301.003

Original Research

Published on 21 March 2024

Budget impact analysis of a rituximab intravenous biosimilar in patients with follicular lymphoma and large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Chile

Author byline as per print journal: Tomás Abbot1, MSc; Nicolás Armijo1, MSc; Robin Piron2, PhD; Manuel Espinoza1,3, PhD Introduction: In Chile, access disparities and budget constraints affect the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, even though therapies like rituximab are covered by the Regime of Explicit Health Guarantees. Biosimilars like Rixathon® off er a compelling alternative…

biosimilars, budget impact analysis, Chile, health system perspective, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, rituximab

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2024.1301.002

Editor's Letter

Published on 11 July 2024

First 2024 GaBI Journal issue highlights

It was with great pleasure that I assumed the role of Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of GaBI Journal in January of this year. Taking over the helm from Professor Philip D Walson is a considerable challenge; Phil’s excellent, thorough example will be very difficult to follow. My experience is restricted largely to biosimilars with which I have…

Author(s): Robin Thorpe, PhD, FRCPath

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2024.1301.001

Sponsored Article

Published on 14 September 2023

Biosimilar antibody drug conjugates: considerations of higher order structure and aggregation

Abstract: Undoubtedly the complexity of antibody drug conjugate (ADC) molecules where three components (monoclonal antibody, cytotoxic drug and appropriate linker) are involved poses a challenge for biosimilar development. As with all biomolecule development, both novel and biosimilar, it is important to choose orthogonal analytical techniques to interrogate Quality Attributes, particularly for higher order structure (HOS)…

Author(s): Richard L Easton, BSC (Hons), DIC, PhD

antibody-drug conjugates, biosimilarity, characterization techniques, higher order structure, orthogonality, protein aggregation

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2023.1203.018

Submitted: 4 November 2023; Revised: 24 November 2023; Accepted: 27 November 2023; Published online first: 28 November 2023 A study by Meijboom et al. aimed to compare the risk of and reasons for infliximab discontinuation between retransitioned patients and those remaining on biosimilar [1]. When the market exclusivity of the originator infliximab (Remicade) expired in 2014,…

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2023.1203.017

Submitted: 22 November 2023; Revised: 24 November 2023; Accepted: 27 November 2023; Published online first: 28 November 2023 Biologics are the fastest-growing class of medications in the United States and account for a substantial and growing portion of healthcare costs. The Biologics Price Competition Act of 2009 created an abbreviated approval pathway for the U.S. Food…

Author(s): Sarah Schrieber, PharmD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2023.1203.016

Meeting Report

Published on 14 September 2023

Medicare drug price negotiations: impact on healthcare development and patient access to medicines

Author byline as per print journal: Michael S Reilly, Esq; Thomas R Barker, Esq, JD; Charles M Clapton, Esq; Steven J Potts, PhD, MBA; Andrew Spiegel, Esq Introduction: In the US, a Medicare drug price negotiation provision has been introduced in the form of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). An online webinar on the…

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2023.1203.015

Author byline as per print journal: Ka-Liong Tan1, DPhil; Ainoon Othman1; Irwan Mohd Subri2,3; Noor Fadzilah Zulkifli1; Mohd Mahyeddin Mohd Salleh3; Nazariyah Yahaya4; Khairun Nain Nor Aripin1; Shahirah Nadiah Shaharuddin5; Seri Azalina Mohd Ghazalli6; Muhammad Syazan Sulaiman6 Abstract: In recent years, there has been a rapid growth of the halal pharmaceutical industry, especially in the…

halal assurance, halal pharmaceuticals, oral dosage, supply chain

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2023.1203.014

Author byline as per print journal: Ali M Alhomaidan, PhD; Mohammed Abdulaziz Alageel, MSc; Turki Abdulaziz Alrafie, MSc; Hassan Mohammed Alqarni, MSc; Ibraheem Yahya Khbrani, MSc; Dalal J Alkhamis, MSc; Mohammed F Alkhalifah, MSc; Abdualmajeed S bin Jumaiah, MSc; Mohammed A Dahhas, PhD Abstract: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority’s (SFDA) pharmaceutical products approval and…

Common Technical Documents, drug regulation, good manufacturing practice, Saudi FDA

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2023.1203.013

Editor's Letter

Published on 10 January 2024

Latest features in GaBI Journal, 2023, Issue 3

The articles in this issue of the GaBI ­Journal highlight two important issues that must be considered when reading scientific publications. The first two articles illustrate the rapidly expanding influence of non-US, non-European economies on the global pharmaceutical industry. The second two articles illustrate the need to carefully evaluate the role of any potential author…

Author(s): Professor Philip D Walson, MD

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2023.1203.012

Abstract: Brazilian requirements for approval of biosimilars are aligned with a strict regulatory process and ensure the same high standards of quality, safety and efficacy as for originator biologicals. Submitted: 29 September 2022; Revised: 26 January 2023; Accepted: 27 January 2023; Published online first: 9 February 2023 In Brazil, a legal framework for approving follow-on…

Author(s): Sílvia Helena Cestari de Oliveira, MSc

biologicals, biosimilars, Brazil

DOI: 10.5639/gabij.2023.1202.011