A Hisun phase I study has demonstrated pharmacokinetic similarity and bioequivalence between HS628, a proposed tocilizumab biosimilar to Genentech’s Actemra®. The safety and immunogenicity profiles of HS628 were also found to be similar to the reference product in healthy Chinese male subjects. Actemra® is approved in the US for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients. The study also notes that a phase III clinical trial is currently underway to compare the efficacy and safety of HS628 and Actemra® in patients with moderate to severe RA.
On 5 June 2023, Dr Reddy’s announced a successful phase I study of its biosimilar to Actemra®.