Oncology

Alvotech and Dr. Reddy's partner to develop a Keytruda biosimilar, a German court bans Humira biosimilar over patent dispute, and Samsung Bioepis enters a strategic agreement with NIPRO Corporation in Japan.

Real-world study reveals comparable effectiveness of bevacizumab biosimilars and Avastin in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), boosting clinician confidence.

Monthly savings from fully converting Medicare patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) and non-squamous metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from reference bevacizumab to bevacizumab-bvzr could fund 13,887 and 8,959 additional patient-months of treatment, respectively, according to a cost-effectiveness study.

Incentivizing physicians with modest financial bonuses may seem like a small step, but in Japan’s outpatient oncology setting, it helped push trastuzumab biosimilars toward broader adoption, demonstrating how even limited reimbursement reforms can reshape prescribing behavior under the right conditions.

A wave of biosimilar approvals, aggressive pricing strategies, and a regulatory sea change are setting the stage for unprecedented momentum in the US biologics market, with 2025 already proving to be a landmark year in reshaping cost, access, and innovation across therapeutic areas.

Trastuzumab biosimilars saw significant market uptake in Japan after reimbursement incentives were implemented, but bevacizumab biosimilars did not experience a similar response.

During Q1 2025, pharmaceutical companies accelerated biosimilar expansion through strategic acquisitions and partnerships in hopes of boosting patient access to lower-cost treatments in immunology and oncology.

Biocon Biologics expands its oncology biosimilar roster after gaining FDA approval for Jobevne (bevacizumab-nwgd), the sixth biosimilar referencing Avastin (bevacizumab).

Bevacizumab biosimilars Mvasi and Zirabev provided cost savings for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment without compromising effectiveness.

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) taking bevacizumab biosimilars demonstrated equivalent therapeutic efficacy and similar safety profiles to those taking the originator product, Avastin.

The FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) mandate high similarity between biosimilars and reference products, but their regulatory processes differ, especially with multiple reference products.

A retrospective observational study found no significant differences in progression-free survival or safety in patients with colorectal cancers in Japan treated with ABP 215, Amgen’s bevacizumab biosimilar, or reference bevacizumab (Avastin), and estimated cost savings of 800,000 Japanese yen (approximately $5100) per patient with the biosimilar.

The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommended 3 biosimilars and new indications for reference biologics, moving them closer to final European approval and expanding patient access.

Of the 118 biologics losing exclusivity over the next decade, only 10% have biosimilars in development, meaning a vast majority of biologics have no pipeline, which limits savings potential for the health care system.

In 2024, the FDA approved 19 biosimilars across various therapeutic areas, including the first biosimilars for ustekinumab and denosumab, marking significant progress in expanding treatment options and market competition.

Biosimilar launches achieve a 53% market share and a 53% reduction in average drug costs after 5 years of biosimilar competition, according to Samsung Bioepis’ most recent market report, showcasing notable pricing trends and market share disparities across therapeutic areas.

The US oncology biosimilar market has rapidly evolved since its launch in 2017, driven by steep price discounts, payer adoption, and provider confidence, with an upcoming wave of biosimilars targeting blockbuster biologics promising further market growth, cost savings, and broader patient access.

Korean drugmakers hold over 50% market share in the 6 best-selling biosimilar markets, 2 companies sign exclusive licensing partnership for a denosumab biosimilar, and 2 others join forces for an eculizumab biosimilar.

The top 5 oncology biosimilar articles in 2024 cover Duke's recommendations for cell and gene therapy biosimilars, FDA approval of Shanghai Henlius Biotech's trastuzumab biosimilar, Boehringer Ingelheim layoffs, the safety of rituximab biosimilar CT-P10, and more.

A recent study showed similar safety and efficacy of a bevacizumab biosimilar compared with the reference product (Avastin) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).

Sandoz's biosimilar denosumab (Jubbonti/Wyost) has demonstrated analytical, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and clinical equivalence to reference denosumab (Prolia/Xgeva), supporting its approval and extrapolation to all approved indications.

Alvotech and Advanz Pharma have submitted a European marketing application for their golimumab biosimilar to treat inflammatory diseases, while Celltrion secured Korean approval for denosumab biosimilars, and Intas Pharmaceuticals partnered with Xbrane Biopharma on a nivolumab biosimilar.

The proposed pertuzumab biosimilar QL1209 demonstrated equivalent efficacy and safety to reference pertuzumab (Perjeta) in neoadjuvant treatment of HER2-positive, ER/PR-negative early or locally advanced breast cancer, offering a cost-effective alternative with comparable clinical outcomes.

Patients with oncohematological diseases switching to rituximab biosimilars experienced similar safety and efficacy, highlighting biosimilars' potential for cost-effective treatment across various medical conditions.

Bevacizumab biosimilars have the potential to expand access and reduce costs without compromising patient outcomes in advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

The European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion for the denosumab biosimilars SB16 for all indications referencing Prolia and Xgeva.

In a phase 2 study, the addition of HLX22, an anti-HER2 antibody, to HLX02 biosimilar and XELOX (oxaliplatin and capecitabine) chemotherapy extended progression-free survival (PFS) in untreated HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer patients.

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.

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.

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.