Skylar Jeremias

The approvals for Celltrion's denosumab-bmwo (Stoboclo and Osenvelt) mark the third FDA green light for a biosimilar to treat osteoporosis and bone metastases.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who switched from reference adalimumab (Humira) to a biosimilar under a mandatory nonmedical switching policy maintained long-term safety, efficacy, and treatment persistence comparable to those who remained on the originator drug, according to a Canadian study.

Three ustekinumab biosimilars enter the US market, expanding access to more affordable options referencing Stelara (ustekinumab), one of the most profitable drugs in the world.

On this episode of Not So Different, we explore the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) second interim report on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) with Joe Wisniewski from Turquoise Health, discussing key issues like preferential reimbursement, drug pricing transparency, biosimilars, shifting regulations, and how a second Trump administration could reshape PBM practices.

Celltrion expands its reach in Europe, securing marketing authorization from the European Commission (EC) for its denosumab biosimilar candidate (Stoboclo and Osenvelt) and its aflibercept biosimilar (Eydenzelt).

The FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) granted approval, with interchangeability in the US, to Samsung Bioepis' denosumab biosimilars, which will be marketed under different names depending on whether they will be used to treat osteoporosis or bone metastases.

The FDA approved Merilog (insulin-aspart-szjj) as the first biosimilar to reference Novolog (insulin aspart) for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes.

Although Lantus continues to lead the insulin glargine market globally, the rise of biosimilars like Abasaglar and Semglee has sparked significant price reductions, with some European countries seeing discounts of up to 42.3%.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) saved $67 million in 2023 through its strong adoption of biosimilars to curb the high costs of biologic therapies to treat chronic disease.

In this episode of Not So Different, host Skylar Jeremias covers the latest biosimilar developments, including new FDA approvals, patent disputes, and biosimilar market trends shaping the health care landscape.

The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommended 3 biosimilars and new indications for reference biologics, moving them closer to final European approval and expanding patient access.

Of 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.

Biosimilars have the potential to reduce health care costs and expand patient access, but economic and policy barriers affect adoption, explored James D. Chambers, PhD, MPharm, MSc, associate professor at the Tufts Medical Center Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, in an interview.

January started the year off strong, with several business updates, long-term clinical trial results on multiple biosimilars, and the FDA approval of the third tocilizumab biosimilar.

January 1 marks the launch of the first biosimilar referencing Stelara (ustekinumab) in the US, ushering in a new class of lower-cost medicines for patients with rheumatic and gastrointestinal conditions.

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.

SB5, an adalimumab biosimilar approved in the US, is showing to be safe and effective for patients with psoriasis in the long term, according to a study from the UK and Ireland.

Eculizumab biosimilar Elizaria demonstrates long-term safety and efficacy comparable with the reference product Soliris in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), according to a Russian study that expanded on a previous phase 3 study.

Three players in the biosimilar space have already sparked hope for the new year, with each having big business or regulatory announcements regarding new biosimilar products in Europe and Canada.

Biosimilar teriparatide has been shown to be as safe and effective as its reference product for osteoporosis treatment, potentially enabling significant cost savings in Japan’s health care system while addressing persistent misconceptions about biosimilar quality.

When compared with reference aflibercept, a biosimilar ranibizumab was a clinically effective and cost-saving alternative in a study assessing Japanese patients with different subtypes of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

In 2024, the FDA approved 19 biosimilars across various therapeutic areas, including the first biosimilars for ustekinumab and denosumab, marking significant progress in expanding treatment options and market competition.

Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD, dives into the role that biosimilar associations and organizations play in promoting biosimilars as well as how their stakeholder demographic and main objectives differ from one another.

The 3 largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) increased many specialty generic drugs prices by hundreds of percent, with some drugs seeing thousands of percent markups, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s second interim report on PBM practices.

Biosimilar 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.

Achieving global regulatory harmonization for biosimilar vaccines and immunotherapies is essential to improving market access, reducing costs, and enhancing patient outcomes by streamlining approval processes, fostering international collaboration, and addressing regulatory disparities.

The nationwide mandatory switch from Humira (reference adalimumab) to biosimilar adalimumab in Denmark led to no increase in total health care costs over 9 months, with significant cost reductions for those who switched to GP2017 specifically, highlighting the economic feasibility of biosimilar adoption.

Korean drugmakers hold over 50% market share in the 6 best-selling biosimilar markets, 2 companies sign exclusive licensing partnership for a denosumab biosimilar, and 2 others join forces for an eculizumab biosimilar.

Celltrion’s denosumab biosimilar demonstrated equivalent efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity compared with the originator in a phase 3 trial involving postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, paving the way for improved accessibility and cost savings in osteoporosis treatment.