Diabetes

From the approval of the first insulin glargine biosimilar (Semglee) to the potential for extreme biosimilar competition in the adalimumab market, 2021's regulatory stories were popular with readers.

The year 2021 brought several firsts in biosimilars and set the stage for expansion across therapeutic areas including diabetes and ophthalmology.

Investigators said more evidence would help to convince clinicians of the safety of switching between biosimilar products.

Tot Biopharm receives China regulatory approval for a bevacizumab biosimilar and Fujifilm moves forward with plans for a Suzhou Innovation and Collaboration Center.

Ahead of sales and revenues, Icelandic company Alvotech lines up a massive capital investment and an initial public offering (IPO).

In a review, Sandoz researchers discuss lingering barriers that prevent insulin prices from falling to more affordable levels.

Researchers report findings that suggest a different reimbursement system for Medicare Part B biologics could lead to significantly more robust savings.

Regulators are at work clarifying biosimilar guidance and on Capitol Hill, a battle is raging over reforms that could help or hurt biosimilar advancement.

Authors of a new study estimated significant savings from biosimilars in Ontario based on deep price discounts and mandatory switching programs.

Authors of a review discuss barriers to insulin access and potential solutions as the 100-year anniversary of the drug's first use for diabetes gets closer.

Kathy Oubre, MS, a cochair of the biosimilars committee of the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), explains findings from a broad study of biosimilar use in oncology practices.

Janet Woodcock, MD, acting commissioner of the FDA, said the agency is meeting with biosimilar developers for biosimilars for 46 reference products.

As House leaders sought to build support for the Build Back Better Act, the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) objected to drug price negotiations and proposed “rebate penalties.”

Prime Therapeutics said that by putting Semglee (insulin glargine) on formulary, along with other biosimilars, it could achieve savings of $41 million or more per year.

Competitors in the field of adalimumab and insulin products may soon include “authorized biologics” in addition to biosimilars and interchangeable biosimilars, a pharmacy expert explains at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Nexus 2021 meeting.

The company said growth into new biosimilar markets fueled revenue growth during the quarter just ended. It is also working to correct factory problems identified in a September FDA inspection.

Hopes that insulin biosimilars can improve access and affordability will be tested by Express Scripts’ plan to give preferred formulary status to Semglee, a long-acting insulin that is interchangeable with Lantus.

Over a 10-year period, Basaglar, considered an unofficial biosimilar, achieved price drops in the insulin glargine market and took a significant market share from Lantus.

The month of September 2021 was chock-full of biosimilar news. From regulatory actions to policy initiatives to clinical news, no dust was gathering on the road toward wider biosimilar adoption.

In a biosimilar trend report, Amgen discusses marketing achievements, US biosimilar policy, payer and provider acceptance of these agents, and the outlook for further growth.

The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM) has fought since 2010 in opposition of payer policies that promote automatic switching to cheaper biologics including biosimilars. The group's new chair is no newcomer to this battle.

Companies that gain Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) marketing authorization are likely in for much more extensive trials if they hope to commercialize their biosimilars on the global platform.

Refinements to the analytical testing of biosimilar candidates to verify similarity were worked into 2019 guidance from the FDA. These changes offer what the author considers a more "rational approach."

In this first part of a series, intellectual property attorneys from the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) contend that originator patents are not the formidable obstacles to biosimilars they are made out to be.

Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Innovent Biologics, and other Chinese biopharmaceutical makers are leading the wave of Asia-Pacific (APAC) biosimilar development, according to a GlobalData analyst.

Animal toxicology studies still get included with biosimilar approval applications, although there are strong arguments that most of these studies are unnecessary. Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD, explains the pros and cons.

Misperceptions of biosimilars contribute to low acceptance of these products. Two Cardinal Health researchers discuss barriers to understanding and the importance of biosimilar education.

Clinical efficacy studies are not always required for biosimilars, and it's possible to resist if the FDA does ask for them. Sarfaraz K. Niazi, PhD, suggests a game plan.

CVS Caremark has reordered its list of preferred therapeutics, adjusting the emphasis on biosimilars, and demonstrating that preferential status can change at any time.

A multicenter study of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in children with Turner syndrome demonstrated safety and efficacy comparable to the reference product.