Skylar Jeremias

Here is a summary of our coverage from ASCO20 Virtual, the annual meeting for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Clinical trials leading up to biosimilar approval may not reveal the full safety and efficacy profile of biosimilars vs reference products, and postmarketing studies may be essential to elucidate any differences, investigators said.

Although the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic continues to hamper the pharmaceutical industry, it hasn’t stopped companies from continuing to make deals, seek approvals, and conclude clinical trials.

Switching patients with cancer to biosimilar pegfilgrastim for prophylaxis treatment of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia could generate significant savings for adjuvant treatment, investigators found in studies presented at ASCO20 Virtual, the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

When used as a primary prophylaxis, biosimilar filgrastim (Zarxio) was found to be cost-effective when used to treat patients with nonmetastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to a study presented at ASCO20 Virtual, the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Cancer drug prices are rising in the United States and Europe, but European regulators negotiate drug prices, and the results are seen in pricing trends, investigators said in a presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Abstracts presented at ASCO20 Virtual, the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, revealed important data on physician prescribing of biosimilars and cost savings in the oncology space.

Despite the United States’ slow start in biosimilar uptake, history shows that things can change, according to Michael Kolodziej, MD, who presented at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 2020 Virtual Conference.

CMS announced that its Part D Senior Savings Model designed to cut insulin costs for struggling Medicare beneficiaries is attracting broad insurer participation, indicating high potential for success.

Swedish researchers analyzing more than 10 years of data found that Omnitrope (biosimilar recombinant human growth hormone) is safe and effective in treating adult and pediatric patients with growth hormone deficiencies.

Daewon Pharmaceutical has launched Terrosa, a teriparatide biosimilar, on the Republic of Korea market, after signing a domestic sales agreement with Richter-Helm Biotec. The drug is intended for the treatment of osteoporosis.

After completing a 24-week phase 3 trial, Samsung Bioepis said its biosimilar ranibizumab (SB11) has demonstrated clinical equivalence to reference Lucentis for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Real world evidence (RWE) was cited differently depending on a number of criteria, leaving the door open to future research on how RWE influences payer decision making for specialty drug plans, said presenting author, Ari Panzer, at the Virtual ISPOR 2020, the annual meeting of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR).

Harmonized efforts across global borders and among stakeholders are needed to generate and build acceptance of real world evidence (RWE) to actively aid in health care decision making, panelists said at Virtual ISPOR 2020, the annual meeting of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research.

Pharmacy organizations such as the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) and the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) are advocating for structural changes to health care based on lessons learned from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Although India is far ahead of other countries in terms of biosimilar approvals, its regulatory structure may hinder efforts for international sales.

In light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, pharmacies have implemented new strategies to ensure their patients continue to receive care, especially for those who have lost their insurance or have underlying conditions.

India entered the biosimilar market early and has nearly 100 approved biosimilars, but experts say its regulatory system is not considered world-class, which may hinder international marketing of these products.

German biopharmaceutical company Formycon has postponed its annual meeting due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Coherus Biosciences, of Redwood City, California, sees continued profitability, thanks largely to sales of its pegfilgrastim biosimilar, Udenyca, launched in January 2019.

Molly Burich, head of public policy for Boehringer Ingelheim, a global drugmaker, discusses hopeful signs that the biosimilar market in the United States is improving.

Expanding access to biosimilar pegfilgrastim (Ziextenzo) for patients at intermediate risk of febrile neutropenia and converting patients at high risk who are on the reference product (Neulasta) could save millions in healthcare costs, according to new study results.

Interest in tocilizumab has grown lately as Roche has a clinical trial underway to evaluate efficacy in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related pneumonia.

A new study found that office-based providers, especially those with large practice sizes, were earlier and quicker at adopting biosimilar filgrastim (Zarxio) than hospital-based providers.

Mylan and Biocon have launched their pegfilgrastim biosimilar, Fulphila, in Canada for the treatment of febrile neutropenia, a condition of low white blood cell count, as a result of chemotherapy.

A retrospective, postmarketing study demonstrates higher incidence of joint and bone pain, neutropenia with certain filgrastim biosimilars, compared with Neupogen.

Although the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put a burden on the economy and the healthcare system in particular, Kashyap Patel, MD, believes that the crisis will likely speed up biosimilar uptake in the United States.

A peer-reviewed study suggested that comparative efficacy trials are not always needed to determine efficacy equivalence for biosimilars, as data from pharmacokinetic (PK) studies and in vitro functional assays may suffice.

Posters presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) eLearning Days meeting this week from April 20 to 24 reveal important data on biosimilar utilization management, switching, and affordability.

A pathway model that incorporated use of biosimilars has shown great promise, according to Colin C. Edgerton, MD, executive chairman of the American Rheumatology Network.