The New Delhi high court ruled that Biocon and Mylan can manufacture and sell the companies’ trastuzumab biosimilar to Roche’s biologic cancer treatment trastuzumab (Herceptin globally; Herclon and Bicletis in India) for the treatment of early breast cancer and metastatic gastric cancer—2 new indications that can now be added to an earlier approval of the biosimilar for treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
According to a previous court ruling, the companies could market their biosimilar trastuzumab only for treatment of metastatic breast cancer and could not use data from Roche’s Herceptin package inserts to market and guide treatment for the biosimilar in cancer indications that the reference drug is used for. The court was hearing an appeal by Biocon, and its partner Mylan, which had challenged an interim order restricting them from marketing trastuzumab for the additional indications. The Delhi high court ruling now allows the companies to use Roche’s product data in their biosimilar product’s package inserts. Roche had opposed some paragraphs from the product inserts about the additional indications and objected to their use of clinical tests conducted by Roche as being the biosimilar makers’ own data.
The Delhi high court decision stated that until there are any further court decisions, Biocon and Mylan are permitted to manufacture and sell biosimilar trastuzumab under their brand names for all 3 cancer indications “on the basis of the product inserts which have been approved by the competent authority.” Biocon counsel Pratibha Singh said the court has once again confirmed that there is no data exclusivity in India. Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said she hoped the order set a precedent for future such issues, and that the decision will pave the way for greater access to affordable biosimilar trastuzumab for cancer patients in India.
Roche had challenged Biocon/Mylan’s ability to market trastuzumab in India for the additional indications. The companies had litigated the use of Roche’s clinical trial data on the safety and efficacy of trastuzumab to treat early breast cancer and metastatic gastric cancer, with Roche’s attorneys arguing that the data were being used by Biocon and Mylan to “pass off” their brands as equally safe and effective without conducting their own clinical trials. For their part, Biocon and Mylan attorneys argued that the data used in the companies’ latest package insert were publicly available and not exclusive to Roche.
A statement from Roche said the Delhi high court’s decision meant that critical information about the clinical studies of Herceptin would be included on the packaging of biosimilars “even though there continues to be no evidence in the public domain that the companies producing these products have conducted the studies required for biosimilars.” The company also said it was important to ensure that physicians and patients were not “misled into believing these medicines will provide the same benefit and safety experience” as Hercepin. Roche intends to continue challenging companies that fail to present data outlined in the Indian biosimilar framework.
The decision is expected to give the Biocon/Mylan trastuzumab biosimilar greater access to a Rs-300-crore (about $45 million) market in India.
Eye on Pharma: Sandoz Files Antitrust Suit; Yuflyma Interchangeability; Costco’s Ustekinumab Pick
April 22nd 2025Sandoz's antitrust suit against Amgen, the FDA’s interchangeability designation for Celltrion’s adalimumab biosimilar, and the inclusion of an ustekinumab biosimilar in Costco’s prescription program highlight growing momentum to expand biosimilar access and affordability for patients with chronic inflammatory diseases.
How AI Can Help Address Cost-Related Nonadherence to Biologic, Biosimilar Treatment
March 9th 2025Despite saving billions, biosimilars still account for only a small share of the biologics market—what's standing in the way of broader adoption and how can artificial intelligence (AI) help change that?
Latest Biosimilar Deals Signal Growth Across Immunology, Oncology Markets
April 14th 2025During Q1 2025, pharmaceutical companies accelerated biosimilar expansion through strategic acquisitions and partnerships in hopes of boosting patient access to lower-cost treatments in immunology and oncology.
Will the FTC Be More PBM-Friendly Under a Second Trump Administration?
February 23rd 2025On 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.
Risk-Adjusted NPV Framework for Biosimilars Shows Key Investment Drivers
April 7th 2025Early market entry, manufacturing efficiency, and market share are critical to biosimilar development success, while technical complexity and competition heavily impact returns, according to a study presenting a risk-adjusted net present value (NPV) analysis framework.