Oncology

Pfizer's investment in biosimilars is starting to pay off, as it now ranks these agents among its top revenue drivers.

Findings from biosimilar studies of Kanjinti (trastuzumab) and Mvasi and Zirabev (bevacizumab) rounded out our oncology biosimilar coverage in January.

The pharmacy benefit manager reported 90% biosimilar uptake among its health plans that adopted clinical management policies that included step therapy or parity usage.

Investigators noted comparable use of bevacizumab biosimilar and reference products among patients treated for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Guangzhou, China-based Bio-Thera has filed a biologics license application (BLA) with the FDA for the approval of bevacizumab biosimilar candidate BAT1706.

In its annual drug price guide, Vizient predicts that US annual adalimumab (Humira) revenues could reach $24 billion before biosimilars enter the marketplace.

The study of originator infliximab and SB2 used nurses as the first point of contact when educating patients, relying partly on patient trust in these health care professionals.

Charles Bennett, MD, PhD, a hematologist, oncologist, and professor at the University of South Carolina, explained the many sticking points that prevent biosimilar savings.

It took Henlius years to get a rituximab biosimilar approved in China. Now, that process could be cut in half, owing to significant regulatory reforms.

Coherus BioSciences CEO Dennis M. Lanfear discusses the company's biosimilar marketing prospects in 2021.

Biosimilars will be the cornerstone for a leap into biologics development and commercialization, according to the CEO of Prestige Biopharma. Also, Innovent Biologics reaches a marketing agreement.

The study was designed to elucidate incidence of hypertension and proteinuria in patients treated with bevacizumab reference vs biosimilar products.

Investigators looked at the first 9 months of use following the launch of the bevacizumab biosimilar Mvasi to gauge physician comfort with this agent across tumor types.

The Center for Biosimilars® reports on developments at the International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (IGBA), Celltrion, Innovent Biologics, and Kamada.

CMS looks to speed up health information transfer by putting faxes in the past. It also aims to set deadlines for payers to respond to prior authorization requests.

Lawrence A. Hill, PharmD, MBA, RPH, BCPS, provided an insider's view of the rapidly changing biologics and biosimilars market and regulatory structure in China.

We spoke to Charles Bennett, MD, PhD, a clinical pharmacy specialist, about his recent oncology biosimilars study and how pay-for-delay schemes have somewhat stalled the biosimilar market.

Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters matched up with those of reference trastuzumab in an extended analysis of data from the HERITAGE trial.

Authors of a review found that biosimilar uptake and market share are not in themselves sufficient to establish whether these agents will lead to savings.

Ivo Abraham, PhD, RN, a professor with the University of Arizona Health Sciences in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and a health care consultant and co-founder of Matrix45, discussed how the pandemic is likely to impact the use of pegfilgrastim biosimilars.

Among patients treated for metastatic breast cancer, 40% switched to ABP 980.

An expansion of its Reykjavik, Iceland, headquarters operation will speed the company on its way to launching its first biosimilars, officials said.

Providers should feel confident using Mvasi, a bevacizumab biosimilar, for all indications of the reference product (Avastin), reviewers stated.

Many firsts may be in store for the biosimilar industry in 2021, although it will be dogged by ongoing difficulties, Center for Biosimilars® Advisory Board members said.

Incremental gains in the number of approved biosimilars and no new biologic categories were the low points, but uptake and improved patient access were highlights of 2020.

In part 2 of this year-end feature, we look at the most-read biosimilar stories of the second half of 2020.

MYL-14020 could have been the fourth US biosimilar approved by the end of 2020, but the FDA hasn't been able to complete a necessary foreign inspection, owing to the pandemic.

The top stories in biosimilars for 2020 encompassed biosimilar approvals and launches, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and the FDA's challenge to stay on top of the rapidly changing health care landscape.

Christophe Bourdon, senior vice president and general manager of US Oncology for Amgen, discussed the development and marketing plan for the company's newly approved rituximab biosimilar.

Building on regulatory submissions elsewhere, the company is looking to gain approval for bevacizumab candidate BAT1706 in Brazil.