Diabetes

The International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association has appointed a veteran member, Vivian Frittelli, MBA, ACIS, to take over as chair.

Ford Motor saved $5 million by switching patients to 5 biosimilars, and other manufacturers and employers in Michigan have achieved good results with switching programs, the Economic Alliance of Michigan reports.

In a recent paper, Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD summarizes some of his central ideas on the relevance of FDA biosimilar testing standards.

In India, an emphasis on outdated biosimilar testing has restricted market entry of these products and discouraged manufacturers, patient advocates contend.

Savings from adalimumab biosimilars, which won't enter the US market until 2023, account for a significant share of the total, investigators said.

Biosimilars have produced more than $20 billion of savings in Europe, but more use of these agents is needed.

The top legal stories in biosimilars over the past year concerned etanercept and adalimumab biosimilars and access to insulin.

With an FDA approval for a second insulin glargine biosimilar, the stage is set for stronger competition in 2022 with potential improved access and savings for patients.

Lannett hopes to initiate a pivotal trial of its insulin glargine biosimilar candidate, in anticipation of a launch in 2024.

In Canada, a new jurisdiction inaugurates mandatory switching to biosimilars.

From the approval of the first insulin glargine biosimilar (Semglee) to the potential for extreme biosimilar competition in the adalimumab market, 2021's regulatory stories were popular with readers.

The year 2021 brought several firsts in biosimilars and set the stage for expansion across therapeutic areas including diabetes and ophthalmology.

Investigators said more evidence would help to convince clinicians of the safety of switching between biosimilar products.

Tot Biopharm receives China regulatory approval for a bevacizumab biosimilar and Fujifilm moves forward with plans for a Suzhou Innovation and Collaboration Center.

Ahead of sales and revenues, Icelandic company Alvotech lines up a massive capital investment and an initial public offering (IPO).

In a review, Sandoz researchers discuss lingering barriers that prevent insulin prices from falling to more affordable levels.

Researchers report findings that suggest a different reimbursement system for Medicare Part B biologics could lead to significantly more robust savings.

Regulators are at work clarifying biosimilar guidance and on Capitol Hill, a battle is raging over reforms that could help or hurt biosimilar advancement.

Authors of a new study estimated significant savings from biosimilars in Ontario based on deep price discounts and mandatory switching programs.

Authors of a review discuss barriers to insulin access and potential solutions as the 100-year anniversary of the drug's first use for diabetes gets closer.

Kathy Oubre, MS, a cochair of the biosimilars committee of the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), explains findings from a broad study of biosimilar use in oncology practices.

Janet Woodcock, MD, acting commissioner of the FDA, said the agency is meeting with biosimilar developers for biosimilars for 46 reference products.

As House leaders sought to build support for the Build Back Better Act, the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) objected to drug price negotiations and proposed “rebate penalties.”

Prime Therapeutics said that by putting Semglee (insulin glargine) on formulary, along with other biosimilars, it could achieve savings of $41 million or more per year.

Competitors in the field of adalimumab and insulin products may soon include “authorized biologics” in addition to biosimilars and interchangeable biosimilars, a pharmacy expert explains at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Nexus 2021 meeting.

The company said growth into new biosimilar markets fueled revenue growth during the quarter just ended. It is also working to correct factory problems identified in a September FDA inspection.

Hopes that insulin biosimilars can improve access and affordability will be tested by Express Scripts’ plan to give preferred formulary status to Semglee, a long-acting insulin that is interchangeable with Lantus.

Over a 10-year period, Basaglar, considered an unofficial biosimilar, achieved price drops in the insulin glargine market and took a significant market share from Lantus.

The month of September 2021 was chock-full of biosimilar news. From regulatory actions to policy initiatives to clinical news, no dust was gathering on the road toward wider biosimilar adoption.

In a biosimilar trend report, Amgen discusses marketing achievements, US biosimilar policy, payer and provider acceptance of these agents, and the outlook for further growth.