Biosimilars and Biobetters

The agency has approved Mylan’s Fulphila (pegfilgrastim-jmdb) as the first US-approved biosimilar to Amgen’s Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) to reduce infection risk during cancer treatment.

The agency has recommended approval of three biosimilar adalimumab products from Novartis, referencing AbbVie’s Humira, and a biosimilar trastuzumab from Pfizer, referencing Roche’s Herceptin.

The agency published two guidance documents to address brand drug makers’ use of REMS to block generic-drug development.

This marks the third FDA approval for the company’s second biomanufacturing plant in Incheon, Korea.

The FDA commissioner released a statement expressing the agency’s plan to address tactics used by pharma companies to delay generic-drug competition.

The agency has approved Retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx) by Pfizer’s Hospira, which is a biosimilar to Amgen’s anemia drug, Epogen/Procrit (epoetin alfa).

Valerius Biopharma will use Catalent’s GPEx technology to produce cell lines for biosimilar drugs.

Barriers impede biosimilar market entry into the United States despite the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act.

The company received a complete response letter from FDA in response to the biologics license application for a proposed rituximab biosimilar.

The data and analytics company reports on the anticipated uptake of Humira (adalimumab)‎‎ biosimilars in the EU once they are launched in 2018.

The company received a complete response letter from FDA in response to the biologics license application for a proposed trastuzumab biosimilar.

Celltrion received complete response letters from FDA for its rituximab and trastuzumab biosimilars.

The companies have created Syna Therapeutics, a joint venture that will develop biosimilars and new molecules.

The European approval marks the first approval for a biosimilar in that region resulting from the companies’ joint portfolio.

EMA has recommended approval of the biosimilar for the same indications as Roche’s Herceptin (trastuzumab).

Novartis’ Sandoz is seeking approval of its biosimilar referencing Johnson & Johnson’s Remicade (infliximab) for all of Remicade’s indications across gastroenterology, rheumatology, and dermatology.

A different perspective on controlling fixed costs of biomanufacturing, based on know-how from other industries, provides a competitive edge, says the CEO of Samsung BioLogics.

The FDA commissioner outlined the agency's initiatives to reward innovation and biosimilars development.

Gottlieb promoted the development of biosimilars and safer opioid packaging at a briefing sponsored by Alliance for a Stronger FDA and the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Manufacturers tackle regulatory and competitive issues to develop complex therapies and biosimilars.

The agency published draft guidance on good practices for submitting abbreviated new drug applications.

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has decided in favor of Novartis’ Sandoz in rendering the opinion that Amgen cannot use state laws to prohibit or delay the marketing of biosimilars.

FDA has approved a Pfizer biosimilar to J&J’s top-selling anti-inflammatory biologic, Remicade.

The approval for Admelog (insulin lispro injection) marks the first short-acting insulin approved as a “follow-on” product.

Biopharma majors are among the industry stakeholders who have commented and raised questions about FDA’s recently proposed draft guidance for analytical assessment of similarity in biosimilars.