Current understanding, knowledge, and perception of biosimilars in a changing landscape of regulatory requirements

Author byline as per print journal: Andriy Krendyukov, MD, PhD; Marta Bakowska, BA (Hon), MPH; Dirk Schiller, PhD; Sanjay Singhvi, BSc (Hon), MBBS, MBA Introduction: Healthcare providers often lack familiarity with the concepts surrounding the biosimilars industry and the evidence required to support biosimilar development. This paper assesses current understanding, knowledge and perception of biosimilars […]


Extended stability of the trastuzumab biosimilar ABP 980 (KANJINTI™) in polyolefin bags and elastomeric devices

Author byline as per print journal: Lyndsay Davies1, PhD; Katie Milligan1, BSc; Mark Corris1, BSc; Ian Clarke1; Paul Dwyer1, MSc; Sarah Elizabeth Lee2, PhD; Jolene Teraoka3, BSc; Jill Crouse-Zeineddini3, PhD; Jane Hippenmeyer4, PharmD Study Objectives: To investigate the quality and in-use stability of the trastuzumab biosimilar ABP 980 (KANJINTI™) in both concentrated multi-dose bags and following […]


Biosimilars – status in July 2020 in 16 countries

Author byline as per print journal: Hye-Na Kang1, PhD; Robin Thorpe2, PhD; Ivana Knezevic1, PhD; Daehyun Baek3, PhD; Parichard Chirachanakul4; Hui Ming Chua5; Dina Dalili6, PhD; Freddie Foo7, MSc; Kai Gao8, PhD; Suna Habahbeh9, PhD; Hugo Hamel10, PhD; Edwin Nkansah11, PhD; Maria Savkina12, PhD; Oleh Semeniuk13; Shraddha Srivastava14; João Tavares Neto15, PhD; Meenu Wadhwa16, PhD; […]


Summative usability evaluation of the YLB113 etanercept biosimilar autoinjector via simulation

Author byline as per print journal: Kelly Canham1, BSc Hons; Claire Newcomb2, MSc Introduction/Study Objectives: Etanercept is a tumour necrosis factor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of several inflammatory disorders. Patients with these diseases may experience manual dexterity challenges. Autoinjectors may improve dose accuracy, treatment adherence and quality of life; and reduce injection-site reactions. Studies […]


Physicochemical stability of the bevacizumab biosimilar, ABP 215, after preparation and storage in intravenous bags

Author byline as per print journal: Jolita Seckute1, PhD; Ingrid Castellanos2, PhD; Steven Bane1, PhD Study Objectives: To evaluate extended in-use stability of bevacizumab biosimilar, ABP 215, after dilution into intravenous bags, extended storage, and simulated infusion to enable advanced preparation and storage. Methods: Two lots of ABP 215 were diluted to high- (16.5 mg/mL) […]


European prescribers’ attitudes and beliefs on biologicals prescribing and automatic substitution

Introduction: The European Union (EU) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have led the development of a regulatory framework for biosimilars since 2004. By end of December 2019, 64 biosimilars of 15 originator biological medicines have a marketing authorization in Europe. Now, for the second time, the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) asked European […]


Biosimilars markets: US and EU compared

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 […]


Pelmeg®, a biosimilar pegfilgrastim developed in the context of evolving regulatory guidelines

Author byline as per print journal: Karsten Roth, PhD; Hendrik Wessels, PhD; Josef Höfler, PhD; Ulrike Scholz, PhD; Dirk Lehnick, PhD Abstract: Pelmeg® is a biosimilar pegfilgrastim, which obtained European Union (EU) regulatory approval in September 2018, with marketing beginning in January 2019. A comprehensive analytical, functional and preclinical comparability programme demonstrated a high degree […]


Clinical trials for trastuzumab biosimilars

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 […]


Importance of the determination of the higher order structure in the in-use stability studies of biopharmaceuticals

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 […]


Are there biosimilar orphan drugs for Gaucher disease? An overview in Mexico

Author byline as per print journal: G Castañeda-Hernández, PhD; L Carbajal-Rodríguez, MD; M Cerón-Rodríguez, MD; Professor LC Correa-González, MD; A Esquivel-Aguilar, PhD; SJ Franco-Ornelas, MD; JE García Ortiz, PhD; CM Hernández-Guadarrama, MD; JI Navarrete-Martínez, MD; Y Santillán-Hernández, MD; E Terreros-Muñoz, MD Abstract: Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the first-line treatment for Gaucher disease (GD). The […]


Implementing a treatment registry for a biosimilar: continuous safety surveillance of the biosimilar Bevax® (bevacizumab) in Argentina

Introduction and study objectives: Benefit-risk evaluations are essential throughout the life cycle of a drug to guarantee therapeutic efficacy for the authorized indications without an unacceptable incidence of adverse effects. To achieve this, a registry, assessment of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and other pharmacovigilance (PhV) procedures are mandatory. Due to the inherent variability of bioproduction, […]