Ophthalmology

Biocon Biologics settled with the maker of Eylea (aflibercept), announcing a launch date for its biosimilar competitor in Canada; Sandoz has officially acquired Cimerli, a ranibizumab biosimilar; AARP Medicare Rx from United Healthcare has added Cyltezo (adalimumab-adbm) and removed the originator (Humira) from its formulary.

A Chinese phase 3 trial found biosimilar QL1207 to be as effective and safe as reference aflibercept (Eylea) for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

In its annual biosimilars report, Cardinal Health provided updates on how provider acceptance growth, evolving payer dynamics, and the growing pipeline for biosimilars will shape the biosimilar landscape over the next 5 years.

Samsung Bioepis provided multiple updates on its biosimilar projects, including a new partnership for its aflibercept biosimilar candidate as well as regulatory news in the European Union and Republic of Korea.

A study found SB15, an aflibercept biosimilar, is just as effective as its reference drug Eylea, the current standard treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), a condition that causes vision loss.

Coherus Biosciences has sold its ranibizumab biosimilar (Cimerli) to Sandoz; Celltrion has completed its biologics license application filing for its tocilizumab biosimilar (CT-P47); Alvotech shares positive pharmacokinetic results for its denosumab biosimilar candidate.

A Korean health agency issued Samsung Bioepis an administrative penalty related to its biosimilar referencing Eylea (aflibercept); the FDA updates its labeling recommendations for interchangeable biosimilars; Alvotech receives another Form 483 after the FDA reinspected its Iceland-based manufacturing facility.

Samsung Bioepis’ Biosimilar Market Report for the first quarter of 2024 chronicles some major market trends, including which treatment spaces have quicker uptake than others, highlighting missed opportunities for savings as well as the 1-year experience of adalimumab biosimilar competition in the US.

The IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science’s most recent Global Use of Medicines report projected that market introductions of new biosimilar and generic drugs will increase projected losses for originator products from $111 billion to $192 billion over the next 5 years.

As Regeneron gears up for a legal battle with biosimilar competitors for its reference aflibercept, CareFirst files a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson for restricting biosimilar ustekinumab competition; Celltrion and Accord BioPharma file with the FDA to approve their respective biosimilar candidates.

The top 5 most-read ophthalmology stories of 2023 concerned clinical results, approvals, and launches for ranibizumab and aflibercept biosimilars.

Outlook Therapeutics provides an update on the development of its bevacizumab candidate for age-related macular degeneration; Samsung Bioepis settles with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) over its ustekinumab biosimilar candidate; and the European Union gains another trastuzumab biosimilar.

A report from IQVIA noted that Europe could miss out on €15 billion in cost savings by not having biosimilars for medications about to lose market exclusivity, shedding light on the implications for overall health care savings and ultimately, patient access.

Several companies make moves to further their adalimumab biosimilars, Regeneron sues Celltrion over biosimilar for Eylea (aflibercept), and Health Canada grants marketing authorization for biosimilar referencing Stelara (ustekinumab).

Between 3 regulatory approvals, 2 complete response letters, and new data and industry insights, October brought a number of business updates that have the potential to impact the entire US biosimilar industry.

As Celltrion releases new data on its subcutaneous infliximab product in gastroenterology conditions, Samsung Bioepis secures an interchangeability designation for Byooviz, making it the second ranibizumab biosimilar to be deemed interchangeable with the reference product.

Samsung Bioepis’ most recent biosimilar market report identified inconsistent medical guidelines, challenges with access and rebates, and acute vs chronic treatment duration as major factors influencing biosimilar uptake in the United States.

Alvotech received a complete response letter (CRL) for its ustekinumab biosimilar; Formycon’s Cimerli, a ranibizumab biosimilar, achieved 25% market share in the United States; and the FDA awarded a researach grant to the Biologics & Biosimilars Collective Intelligence Consortium (BBCIC).

At EURETINA 2023, Samsung Bioepis shared positive comparative efficacy data on its aflibercept biosimilar candidate, demonstrating that the product is as safe and effective as the originator (Eylea).

Drug maker payments to ophthalmologists were associated with the choice of higher-cost therapies for age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) that could increase Medicare costs, but biosimilars could help.

The European Commission approved the first aflibercept biosimilar, which will be used to treat patients with age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.

In Biocon’s latest quarterly earnings report, the company revealed that sales for its biosimilars portfolio rose 106% compared with the same time frame the year prior.

In STADA Arzneimittel’s first half of 2023 earnings report, the company disclosed double-digit growth, suggesting that it could see profits hit an all-time high by the end of the year.

Ranibizumab biosimilar was found to be the most cost-effective for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), according to a recent Japanese study.

Formycon and Celltrion announced the FDA submissions for their aflibercept biosimilars; the European Medicines Agency accepted a marketing authorization application for an ustekinumab biosimilar; and Roche filed suit against Biogen over a tocilizumab biosimilar.

Kashiv Biosciences announced positive phase 1 results for its omalizumab biosimilar; Dongkook Pharmaceutical shared the launch of an insulin glargine biosimilar (Glargia); and Quebec, a province in Canada, said it’s adding a ranibizumab biosimilar (Byooviz) to its reimbursement list.

Long-term results comparing ranibizumab biosimilar SB11 vs reference ranibizumab (Lucentis) on neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) support biosimilarity between the treatments.

The ranibizumab biosimilar XSB-001 (Ximluci) demonstrated biosimilarity to the originator (Lucentis) in a phase 3 trial in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

At the 2023 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Samsung Bioepis shared comparable safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity data through 1 year between its aflibercept biosimilar (SB15) and the originator (Eylea).

Biosimilar ranibizumab showed similar efficacy and safety in a recent study of the eyes of Indian patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.