Russian company Biocad gains distribution rights for its rituximab and trastuzumab biosimilars in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Russian company Biocad received marketing approval for 2 biosimilars in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe, and aims to expand sales further into Europe.
The registration for the biosimilars of rituximab and trastuzumab, Acellbia and Herticad, respectively, was granted by The Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Market launch, largely through individual contracts with state and private cancer centers, will start this year.
Biocad will produce the agents and distribution will be managed by ICM, according to a release. ICM estimated the market for rituximab and trastuzumab Bosnia and Herzegovina at around $12.7 million.
“The sale of these medicines on the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina will enable significant savings in the Federal Health Insurance Fund [FHIF] and at the same time enable patients to receive more effective treatment,” according to Nicola Rosič, chief executive officer of ICM, a distribution company based in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“By analyzing international markets for launching drugs, we see that our products are in demand,” said Dmitry Morozov, chief executive officer of Biocad. “Therefore, in parallel, we conduct registration processes in different countries of Europe. For example, after successful registration in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are planning to gain access to the Serbian market.”
Biocad’s Herticad has been approved for use in Russia and has been available since 2016.
The healthcare system in Bosnia and Herzegovina is known to be troubled by underfunding and a shortage of trained personnel caused in part by wartime exodus. The FHIF supervises the management of mandatory health insurance funds collected by the state healthcare system’s 10 health departments.
Similar Survival, Safety for Bevacizumab Biosimilar vs Originator in Colorectal Cancer
February 8th 2025A 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.
Biosimilars Oncology Roundup for June 2024—Podcast Edition
July 7th 2024On this episode of Not So Different, we review biosimilar news coming out of June, with clinical trial results from conferences and a study showcasing how to overcome economic and noneconomic barriers to oncology biosimilars.
The Biosimilar Void: 90% of Biologics Coming Off Patent Will Lack Biosimilars
February 5th 2025Of 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.
A New Chapter: How 2023 Will Shape the US Biosimilar Space for 2024 and Beyond
December 31st 2023On this episode of Not So Different, Cencora's Brian Biehn and Corey Ford take a look back at major policy and regulatory advancements in 2023 and how these changes will alter the space going forward.
Biosimilars Drive Cost Savings and Achieve 53% Market Share Across Treatment Areas
January 16th 2025Biosimilar 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 Next Frontier: Oncology Biosimilars in 2025 and Beyond
January 13th 2025The 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.