April 8th 2025
Affirming that analytical characterization is often sufficient for biosimilar approval, minimizing unnecessary clinical testing, and enhancing FDA-led education to counter stakeholder misconceptions are key recommendations put forth in this opinion piece by Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD.
BioRationality: An Analysis of the Future of Biosimilars Through the Eyes of History
January 8th 2024Sarafraz K. Niazi, PhD, previews the new year and his hopes for the end of clinical efficacy testing for biosimilar approvals using examples from history of other scientific concepts that took time to gain traction.
Developers’ Perspective on Streamlining the Biosimilar Development Process
January 2nd 2024The regulatory structure of biosimilar development can be safely streamlined and made more efficient and less costly, wrote authors from Sandoz, Fresenius Kabi, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Samsung Bioepis in an opinion article published in BioDrugs.
BioRationality: In FDA We Trust—A Commentary on FDA Efforts to Educate Biosimilar Stakeholders
December 18th 2023Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD, offers his perspective on FDA biosimilar education efforts and the role these efforts and stakeholder perspectives play in uplifting—or undermining—biosimilar adoption.
Phase 1 Study Finds Comparable PK, PD Parameters in Biosimilar GP40141 vs Reference Romiplostim
November 25th 2023A phase 1 analysis confirms that romiplostim biosimilar candidate GP40141 has comparable pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters in healthy volunteers compared with the reference product.
Part 3: Study Questions Usefulness of Clinical Efficacy Trials for Oncology Biosimilars in Europe
November 16th 2023In part 3 of a 3-part series for Global Biosimilars Week, The Center for Biosimilars® reviews an analysis investigating whether clinical efficacy studies have an impact on prescribing decisions for oncology biosimilars across Europe.
Eye on Pharma: Denosumab Biosimilar Data; COA Forms New Committee; IGBA and WHO Collaborate
November 8th 2023Samsung Bioepis releases data for its denosumab biosimilar candidate; the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) forms the Drug Policy and Regulation Committee; the International Generic and Biosimilar Association (IGBA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborate on a new initiative.
BioRationality: FDA Launches a New Opportunity to Remove Redundant Trials of Biosimilars
November 6th 2023The FDA introduced a plan to improve clinical trials, including a provision to possibly eliminate clinical efficacy testing for biologic products, which evidence has suggested may not be necessary, according to Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD.
Eye on Pharma: New GI Data and Byooviz Interchangeability Propel Biosimilars Into the Future
October 25th 2023As Celltrion releases new data on its subcutaneous infliximab product in gastroenterology conditions, Samsung Bioepis secures an interchangeability designation for Byooviz, making it the second ranibizumab biosimilar to be deemed interchangeable with the reference product.
BioRationality—A DMF Route to Biosimilars: CDMOs Can Make Biosimilars Accessible and Affordable
October 16th 2023Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD, chronicles how drug master files (DMF) can be used in the biosimilar approval process and the role contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) can play in improving biosimilar accessibility.
Webinar: Experts Discuss Avenues to Improve Biosimilar Development Efficiency
October 4th 2023A recent webinar featured an in-depth discussion on the impacts that updated guidelines, a reduction in clinical efficacy testing, and biomarker analyses can have on the efficiency of biosimilar development.
BioRationality: Calling on Developers to Help Address Remaining Biosimilar Issues
October 3rd 2023Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD, summarized the citizen petitions he's filed to the FDA as well as changes he believes are needed to propel the biosimilar industry into the future, including calling on biosimilar manufacturers to help.
Part 3: BioRationality—FDA Webinar on Biosimilars Efficacy Testing Marks Major Step Forward
September 20th 2023In the final part of a 3-part series, Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD, gives his take on the FDA's recent workshop dedicated to streamlining biosimilar development and his opinion on what the industry can learn from the webinar presenters.
Part 2: FDA Workshop Shares Manufacturer Perspective on the Value of Clinical Efficacy Testing
September 18th 2023Although removing the requirement for clinical efficacy testing for biosimilar approval would reduce development costs of biosimilars, representatives from several biosimilar manufacturers argued in the second day of the FDA’s development workshop that clinical outcomes will not be affected.
Authors Suggest Major Policy Shifts to Boost Biosimilar Development, Accessibility
August 9th 2023Streamlining biosimilar development would permit biosimilar development of more and a wider variety of biological drugs, fast-tracking biosimilar development without impacting patient safety or effectiveness, according to an opinion piece.
BioRationality: The Adulthood of Biosimilars—Global Status and Future of Biosimilars
August 7th 2023Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD, gives an overview of the global biosimilar landscape, noting why some countries have biosimilars, including follow-on biologics and unbranded biologics, for certain products and why others do not.