Transforming healthcare: CinnaGen’s leadership in follow-on biologicals/biosimilars development and market expansion

Abstract: CinnaGen, the largest biopharmaceutical company in the MENA region, is a leader in developing follow-on biologicals/biosimilars. Dr Haleh Hamedifar, Chairperson of CinnaGen, spoke to GaBI (Generics and Biosimilars Initiative) about the company’s strategic focus, which includes expanding its product portfolio, entering highly regulated global markets, and advancing affordable treatments for conditions such as multiple […]


US interchangeability designation: are we ready to cut the Gordian knot?

Author byline as per print journal: Joseph P Park1, PhD; Gillian R Woollett2, MA, DPhil Abstract: US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) current thinking on interchangeability has evolved since the legal designation was first created in 2010. Based on experience, FDA now acknowledges that clinical switching studies are not generally needed for the interchangeability designation […]


Aligning environmental, social, and governance to clinical development: moving towards more sustainable clinical trials

Author byline as per print journal: Shivani Mittra1, MPharm, PhD; Shylashree Baraskar1, MBBS; Elena Wolff -Holz2, MD; Sandeep N Athalye1, MBBS, MD Abstract: Drug development is among the highest producers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with about 4.4%–4.6% of the worldwide GHG emissions coming from the thousands of clinical trials being carried out annually by […]


Increasing adoption of quality-assured biosimilars to address access challenges in low- and middle-income countries

Author byline as per print journal: Pritha Paul1, PhD; Rahul Kapur2*, MBBS, PhD; Shivani Mittra3, MPharm, PhD; Nimish Shah4, JD, MBA; Gopal K Rao1, MSc; Matthew E Erick4, BS, RPh; Susheel Umesh1, BPharm, MBA; Sandeep N Athalye2, MBBS, MD Abstract: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) disproportionately affect people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to […]


Comparative efficacy studies of biosimilars: data versus theoretical risks, beliefs, and comfort

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 […]


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 […]


Canadian prescribers’ attitudes and perceptions about ophthalmic biosimilars

Author byline as per print journal: Michael S Reilly, Esq; Jane Barratt, PhD Introduction: The first biosimilar entered the Canadian market in 2009 and the first ophthalmic biosimilar was approved in 2022. In 2022, the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) and the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) asked prescribing ophthalmology physicians in Canada for […]


Follow-on biologicals/biosimilars approved in Brazil: May 2023 update

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 […]


Non-medical switching of biologicals/biosimilars: Canada, Europe and the US – a webinar report

Author byline as per print journal: Michael S Reilly, Esq; Gail Attara; Ralph D McKibbin, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF; Professor Philip J Schneider, MS, FASHP, FASPEN, FFIP Introduction: Biosimilars are now key players in the global drugs market offering potentially more affordable treatment options with similar safety and efficacy. However, there are concerns about non-medical […]


Response to the Opinion entitled ‘Biosimilars drug development: time for a paradigm shift?’

Abstract: The Opinion published in this issue of GaBI Journal titled ‘Biosimilars drug development: time for a paradigm shift?’ by Sandeep N Athalye, Shivani Mittra and Ankitkumar M Ranpur proposes a number of changes to the regulatory processes currently in place for biosimilars. This response letter considers the implications and consequences of these. Submitted: 8 December […]


Biosimilars drug development: time for a paradigm shift?

Author byline as per print journal: Sandeep N Athalye, MBBS, MD; Shivani Mittra, MPharm, PhD; Ankitkumar M Ranpura, MD Abstract: The sky-rocketing cost of developing biosimilars is becoming a shared deterrent for biosimilar developers. The regulatory requirements for biosimilars must see a natural evolution and a paradigm shift towards removing inefficiencies in clinical designs to […]


Social trust and regional variation in the adoption of biosimilars in Italy and Germany

Introduction/Study Objectives: Adoption of biosimilars has fallen below projections, despite the vigorous implementation of economic incentives, thereby highlighting the importance of behavioural factors such as social trust. This paper analyses biosimilar adoption across provinces in Italy and Germany, which evince strong variation in social trust, and across nations in Europe. Methods: Data for 2020 biosimilar […]