Respiratory

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.

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.

Celltrion's Omlyclo (omalizumab-igec) is the first omalizumab biosimilar to be approved for US patients, and it was approved with interchangeability, making it easier for patients to switch to the Xolair competitor.

The FDA approved Avtozma, a tocilizumab biosimilar developed by Celltrion, for the treatment of several rheumatic conditions. It is the third biosimilar to reference Actemra (tocilizumab) to be approved for US patients.

Health Canada has approved Omlyclo, the first omalizumab biosimilar in Canada, for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria, allergic asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, based on a phase 3 study confirming its bioequivalence to the reference product.

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

The FDA has issued an update to its guidance on requiring switching study data for biosimilars to be granted interchangeability, citing new science that shows these studies aren’t needed to establish biosimilar safety.

American and European regulatory agencies have provided companies with good news, with several biosimilar candidates seeing application acceptances or approvals in Europe.

A Chinese company has expressed interest in developing a biosimilar to Ozempic (semaglutide); Celltrion completed its biologic license application for its omalizumab biosimilar candidate.

Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) launches an unbranded version of its adalimumab biosimilar; Alvotech and Kashiv Biosciences partner for an omalizumab biosimilar candidate; the FDA issues a complete response letter (CRL) for Biocon’s insulin aspart 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.

Celltrion Healthcare shared data from a phase 3 clinical trial confirming that its omalizumab biosimilar had comparable safety and efficacy to the reference product (Xolair).

The proposed omalizumab biosimilar KA (Shanghai Taiyin Biotechnology) demonstrated similar analytical characteristics, in vitro biological activity, and pharmacology and toxicology in animals compared with the originator (Xolair), according to investigators.

A phase 1 study testing Celltrion Healthcare’s omalizumab biosimilar in healthy subjects showed similar safety and pharmacokinetic profiles to the reference product (Xolair), as presented at the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology’s annual meeting.

Selexis and Generium launched an omalizumab biosimilar on the Russian market; Remsima sales hit a record high for Celltrion Healthcare; Xbrane Biopharma shares long-term results for its ranibizumab biosimilar.

Xolair, the only currently approved product containing omalizumab, was first approved in 2003. AVT23 is an investigational compound and has not received regulatory approval in any country. Current sales of Xolair are estimated at $3.3 billion.

The product would target the lucrative, billion-dollar worldwide market for Xolair.

With positive phase 1 study results and a manufacturing process that may cut costs significantly, BiosanaPharma hopes its omalizumab biosimilar candidate will have an edge on the worldwide market.

Republic of Korea–based drug maker Celltrion announced this week that it is launching its first clinical trial of CT-P39, a proposed biosimilar omalizumab referencing Xolair. The company says that it plans to enter phase 3 trials in the first half of 2020 and has plans to commercialize the biosimilar by 2022.

Biosana Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of BiosanaPharma BV, says it received permission from the Australian Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) to start a phase 1 trial for a biosimilar version of omalizumab.

In October, the FDA granted approval for a pre-filled syringe formulation of the reference product. Additionally, Novartis is looking to expand omalizumab’s indications, as it recently earned FDA’s breakthrough therapy designation in August 2018 as a treatment for food allergies.

A little over a year after having received FDA authorization to commence its clinical program, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has announced that its phase 1 study of GBR 310 revealed similar pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, safety, and immunogenicity profiles between its proposed omalizumab biosimilar and the reference product, Xolair.