Skylar Jeremias

Biosimilars could improve access to biologic treatments and health care sustainability in Latin America, but their adoption is hindered by misconceptions, regulatory gaps, and weak pharmacovigilance, requiring targeted education and stronger regulations.

Although financial incentives introduced by Japan's 2022 health policy did not result in a reduction in overall drug costs, biosimilar use in oncology significantly increased.

The European Commission grants marketing authorization to 2 aflibercept biosimilars; Biosimilars Canada launches new campaign to provide sustainable solutions to employers; Celltrion shares positive data for 2 biosimilars.

Here are the top 5 biosimilar articles for the week of November 11, 2024.

Part 2 of this series for Global Biosimilars Week dives into the complexities of payer and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) policies, how they impact biosimilar accessibility, and how addressing these issues may look under a second Trump term.

Biosimilars hold the potential to dramatically lower health care costs and improve access to life-changing treatments, but realizing this potential will require urgent policy reforms, market competition, and better education for both providers and patients.

Part 1 of this 3-part series for Global Biosimilars Week focuses on legal barriers to biosimilar access in the US, including the patent system, and discusses ongoing legislative efforts to address these challenges.

Sophia Humphreys, PharmD, MHA, BCBBS, director of system formulary management at Sutter Health, discusses how integrated delivery networks (IDNs) can help drive biosimilar adoption.

Here are the top 5 biosimilar articles for the week of November 4, 2024.

For the first time, Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) has replaced Humira (reference adalimumab) as AbbVie’s sales driver, largely due to companies encouraging “product hopping” to avoid competition, creating concerns for the sustainability of the burgeoning adalimumab biosimilar market.

Celltrion plans to commercialize 22 biosimilars by 2030, expanding its global presence with robust sales growth driven by core biosimilars and new launches like subcutaneous infliximab.

Henlius and Organon’s pertuzumab biosimilar met phase 3 goals; Meitheal expanded its US biosimilars; Celltrion’s subcutaneous infliximab (Zymfentra) showed monotherapy could be as effective as combination therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.

On this episode of Not So Different, we discuss the GRx+Biosims conference, which included discussions on data transparency, artificial intelligence (AI), and collaboration to enhance the global supply chain for biosimilars and generic drugs, as well as the evolving requirements for biosimilar devices.

By expanding educational initiatives to clarify biosimilar safety, efficacy, and interchangeability, stakeholders can foster trust, improve access, and ensure that biosimilars are widely accepted as high-quality, cost-effective alternatives to originator biologics.

In October, the GRx+Biosims conference included discussions on data transparency, artificial intelligence, and collaboration to enhance the global supply chain for biosimilars and generic drugs, as well as the evolving requirements for biosimilar devices.

An IQVIA report highlights challenges to the sustainability of infused biosimilars in the US, citing rebate walls and reimbursement policies, and proposes key solutions to enhance adoption and benefits for all stakeholders.

Sophia Humphreys, PharmD, MHA, BCBBS, of Sutter Health notes that although initial adoption of adalimumab biosimilars remained low in 2023, competitive pricing pressures have already benefited patients and the health care sector.

Panelists emphasized the need for transparency and policy reforms in pharmacy benefit management (PBM) to improve accessibility, affordability, and fair competition for adalimumab biosimilars.

At the GRx+Biosims conference, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, stressed the urgent need for data transparency in the global supply chain and the role of collaboration and artificial intelligence in ensuring the resilience of biosimilar and generic drug production.

At the GRx+Biosims 2024 conference, a panel of industry experts and FDA officials discussed evolving device requirements for biosimilars and interchangeable biosimilars, highlighting new approaches to comparative use human factors studies, regulatory challenges, and alternative validation methods.

At the GRx+Biosims conference, a fireside chat highlighted the need to streamline biosimilar development and strengthen industry collaboration, with Sarah Yim, MD, of the FDA, emphasizing education's key role in building trust and adoption.

At the 2024 GRx+Biosims conference, industry leaders and regulatory experts underscored the urgency of unifying global standards and simplifying the biosimilar development process, sharing insights on recent advancements and the necessity for greater collaboration between manufacturers and regulatory agencies.

At the GRx+Biosims 2024 conference, panelists explored challenges and progress in biosimilar interchangeability regulations in the US, discussing the FDA's new draft guidance, the removal of switching study requirements, and the need for more education to reduce misinformation and improve biosimilar uptake.

Sophia Humphreys, PharmD, from Sutter Health explains that expanding biosimilars into new therapeutic areas faces hesitance due to maintenance therapies, emphasizing the importance of education.

Biosimilars are safe, effective, and well-tolerated for psoriasis treatment, providing significant cost savings for the Veterans Health Administration, which saved over $67 million in 2023, while highlighting ongoing provider concerns regarding their use.

The European Union's (EU) approach to biosimilars has revolutionized the biopharmaceutical market by driving innovation, lowering costs, and increasing adoption; however, there remains a need for more education, real-world evidence, and efforts to address challenges to enhance patient access and affordability.

Regeneron appeals legal decision after judge refuses to block an aflibercept biosimilar; Prime Therapeutics, a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), becomes the latest to offer biosimilars referencing Humira (adalimumab) at a low cost; the FDA and European Medicines Agency accept a denosumab biosimilar candidate for review.

During a recent webinar, experts discussed critical regulatory aspects for generics and biosimilars, highlighting strategies for navigating complex approval processes, the importance of local market understanding, and the role of technology in enhancing submission efficiency.

Imuldosa (ustekinumab-srlf) is the fifth ustekinumab biosimilar referencing Stelara to receive regulatory approval in the US.

Adalimumab biosimilars have seen a significant increase in market share, from 2% in early 2024 to 22%, as payers and pharmacy benefit managers begin to prioritize these biosimilars over the reference product, Humira.