Comment on the non-biological complex drugs paper

Abstract: Comment on the Special Report by Professor Gerrit Borchard: Complexity in the making: non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs) and the pharmacopoeias, published in GaBI Journal, 2016;5(1):36-41. Submitted: 3 November 2017; Revised: 13 November 2017; Accepted: 15 November 2017; Published online first: 28 November 2017 We thank you for publishing the manuscript entitled ‘Complexity in the making: non-biological […]


Is the EU ready for non-biological complex drug products?

Author byline as per print journal: Jon SB de Vlieger, PhD; Professor Gerrit Borchard, PharmD, PhD; Vinod P Shah, PhD; Beat Flühmann, PhD; Sesha Neervannan, PhD; Professor Stefan Mühlebach, PhD Abstract: Comment on the Regulatory paper by Dr Falk Ehmann and Dr Ruben Pita: The EU is ready for non-biological complex medicinal products, published in […]


Complexity in the making: non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs) and the pharmacopoeias

Abstract: Pharmacopoeias, as standard references for pharmaceutical drug specifi cations and reference standards in the form of monographs, play a pivotal role to assure drug quality and safety. With emphasis on the activities concerning non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs), the mechanisms by which new monographs are introduced into the European and the US pharmacopoeias are presented. […]


Non-Biological Complex Drugs (NBCDs) and their follow-on versions: time for an editorial section

Author byline as per print journal: Jon SB de Vlieger, PhD; Professor Stefan Mühlebach, PhD; Vinod P Shah, PhD; Scott E McNeil, PhD; Professor Gerrit Borchard, PharmD, PhD; Vera Weinstein, PhD; Beat Flühmann, PhD; Sesha Neervannan, PhD; Professor Daan JA Crommelin, PhD Abstract: This paper discusses the group of non-biological complex drug (NBCD) products and presents the reasons why […]


The implementation of generics in France

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 […]


Complex molecules – current developments

Abstract: The pharmacological activity and toxicity of non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs) depends on their complex structure and composition. The regulatory approach leading to the registration of such drugs and their follow-on products, deemed ‘nanosimilars’, must be based on emerging scientific knowledge of NBCD properties determining their in vivo fate. Submitted: 8 April 2014; Revised: 11 […]


Clinical development, immunogenicity, and interchangeability of follow-on complex drugs

Abstract: Although not derived from living sources, non-biological complex drug (NBCD) products have the immunogenicity and molecular complexity of biological drugs. NBCDs typically contain heterogenous mixtures of closely related nanoparticulate components that cannot be isolated, quantified, or entirely characterized physicochemically. Development of follow-on versions of NBCDs poses many of the same scientific challenges associated with […]


Retrospective chart review: disrupted anaemia control in haemodialysis patients following the switch to an iron sucrose similar (ISS) after long-term treatment with the originator iron sucrose (IS)

Author byline as per print journal: Professor Jacques Rottembourg, MD; Corinne Emery, MSc; Alessandra Moglia, PhD Study objective: To describe and compare the haematological parameters and the anaemia medication use in haemodialysis patients who were switched from the originator iron sucrose (IS) to an iron sucrose similar (ISS). Methods: A retrospective observational single-centre study describing chronic […]


First Asia-Pacific educational workshop on non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 8 October 2013

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 […]


The authorization of non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs) follow-on versions: specific regulatory and interchangeability rules ahead?

Author byline as per print journal: Professor Stefan Mühlebach, PhD, Professor Arnold Vulto, PharmD, PhD, Jon SB de Vlieger, PhD, Vera Weinstein, PhD, Beat Flühmann, PhD, Vinod P Shah, PhD Introduction: Besides biologicals, a new class of complex drugs – non-biological complex drugs (NBCDs), e.g. liposomes, iron carbohydrate products and glatiramoids – has emerged. Originator […]


A progress report on the 3rd International Symposium on Scientific and Regulatory Advances in Biological and Non-Biological Complex Drugs: A to Z in Bioequivalence

Author byline as per print journal: Jon SB de Vlieger1, PhD; Professor Daan JA Crommelin2, PhD; Beat Flühmann3, PhD; Professor Imre Klebovich4, PharmD, PhD, DSc; Professor Stefan Mühlebach3,5, PhD; Vinod P Shah6, PhD Abstract: The 3rd International Symposium on Scientific and Regulatory Advances in Biological and Non-Biological Complex Drugs: A to Z in Bioequivalence (3rd […]