Other Updates

Korea Biomedical Review reported that Alteogen has completed Ph I trials of ALT-L9 (proposed aflibercept biosimilar).

The EMA published the EPAR for Celltrion’s Yuflyma®. The EPAR revealed that Celltrion’s product is citrate-free, but is not buffer-free, with other ingredients including ‘acetic acid, sodium acetate trihydrate, glycine, polysorbate 80 and water for injections’.

Cipla and Alvotech announced that they have expanded their partnership for the marketing and distribution of four biosimilar medicines in Australia and New Zealand. The agreement includes biosimilar aflibercept, ustekinumab, denosumab and golimumab candidates. This agreement is in addition to the previous agreement between Alvotech and Cipla for the commercialisation of AVT02 (biosimilar adalimumab candidate).

Pharmaceutical Technology reported AbbVie’s intended Humira® follow on Rinvoq® (upadacitinib) may face questions on class safety after a safety signal emerged in a postmarketing trial of Pfizer’s Xeljanz® (tofacitinib). Tofacitinib and upadacitinib are both JAK inhibitors, and this safety signal could hamper the movement to JAK inhibitors.

Samsung Bioepis commenced Ph I trials for SB11 (proposed ustekinumab biosimilar).

Biocon and Viatris announced that the CHMP has adopted a positive opinion recommending the marking authorisation of Abevmy® (biosimilar bevacizumab). If approved, Abevmy® will be available for the treatment of metastatic colorectal carcinoma, metastatic breast cancer, non-small-cell lung carcinoma, glioblastoma, ovarian, cervical and renal cancer in 100mg and 400mg injections. The decision of the EC is expected in May 2021.

The FDA extended the indications of Simponi Aria® (golimumab) to include fatigue in patients with psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This is the first TNF inhibitor approved to include fatigue improvement in its labeling.

Coherus released its Q420 and Full Year 2020 financial results. Coherus reported it has captured 21% of the pegfilgrastim market and nearly 50% of the pre-filled syringe segment in the US. Additionally, Coherus announced it plans to file its BLA for its ranibizumab biosimilar mid-year 2021. Coherus also confirmed that it plans to launch its adalimumab biosimilar in the US on or after July 1, 2023.

Minnesota State Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) and State Representative Jennifer Schultz (DFL-Duluth) announced the introduction of a new bill which would require health plans and pharmacy benefit managers to cover all versions of biosimilars.

In its Q4 2020 investor presentation, Fresenius Kabi announced it will launch its biosimilar adalimumab in Australia in Q2 2021 and in Brazil in Q3 2021. Additionally, Fresenius Kabi announced it will launch its biosimilar pegfilgrastim in the US and the EU in Q3/4 2021. Fresenius Kabi’s biosimilar tocilizumab candidate is planned for launch in the US and the EU in 2023. An undisclosed autoimmune biosimilar is planned for a 2024 launch, and an oncology biosimilar in 2025.

Viatris announced it has launched Hulio® (biosimilar adalimumab) in Canada. Hulio® is available in a 50mg/ml formulation (40mg/0.8mL) and is approved for all adalimumab indications.

Fresenius Kabi announced it has launched Idacio® (biosimilar adalimumab) in Canada. Idacio® is available in 50mg/ml formulation (40mg/0.8mL syringe, vial and pen presentations) and is approved for all Humira® indications.

Sandoz announced that it has launched Hyrimoz®, its 50mg/mL biosimilar adalimumab in Canada. Hyrimoz® was approved by Health Canada in November 2020 with a full label. It was also previously launched in Europe in 2018.

Coherus Biosciences announced the FDA has accepted the BLA for its biosimilar adalimumab candidate (CHS-1420). Coherus also announced that it plans to launch its product in the US on or after 01 July 2023. Coherus had previously disclosed that its license with AbbVie would commence in the US in December 2023.

Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics and Mylan announced the launch of Hulio® in Japan. Hulio® is available in a 40mg/0.8mL syringe and pen presentation (indicated for rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, Entero-Behcet’s Disease and Crohn’s Disease), and a 20mg/0.4mL syringe (indicated for juvenile idiopathic arthritis). This is the first adalimumab biosimilar to be launched in Japan.

Celltrion announced it received EC marketing authorisation for Yuflyma® (biosimilar adalimumab) across all indications. This is the first approval of a high concentration, low-volume biosimilar adalimumab. The EPAR is yet to be published by EMA.

Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk Pharmaceuticals announced it has reached an exclusive licensing and distribution agreement with Korea’s Prestige Biopharma for the commercialisation of Tuznue® (biosimilar trastuzumab). Under the agreement, Tabuk will receive exclusive rights to commercialise and distribute Tuznue® in the Middle-East and North Africa region.

Biocon and Viatris announces Kixelle® (biosimilar insulin aspart) has received marking authorisation approval in the EU.

Roche announced new Ph III data shows faricimab (given at intervals of up to four months) is non-inferior compared to aflibercept (given every two months). This may reduce the treatment burden for patients suffering from diabetic macular edema and neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Lannett announces it has entered into an agreement with the HEC Group of companies for biosimilar insulin aspart. Under the agreement, Lannett will be responsible for funding most of the clinical development requirements, while HEC will continue to develop the product and manufacturing infrastructure.

Celltrion announces it has commenced Ph III trials of its proposed aflibercept biosimilar.

Roche reports a huge erosion of its year on year CER growth in key areas, attributing this decline to COVID-19 impacts and biosimilars. Roche reported the YoY CER growth of Avastin (bevacizumab) was -25%, with the hematology franchise (including rituximab) at -22% and HER2 franchise (including trastuzumab and pertuzumab) at -8%.

In an interview with the Centre for Biosimilars the head of Celltrion’s Medical and Marketing Division, HoUng Kim PhD, discussed its high concentration, citrate-free adalimumab biosimilar. Kim announced that Celltrion has completed patent settlements in the US and is approaching settlements in Europe. Kim also revealed that the application for Celltrion’s US biosimilar adalimumab product was filed in November 2020.

Enzene Biosciences announces it has received marketing authorisation for its biosimilar teriparatide in India.