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Samsung Bioepis Reports Long-term Ontruzant Findings for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
The positive findings for the trastuzumab biosimilar Ontruzant in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive early or locally advanced breast cancer were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2021.
Samsung Bioepis reported results of what it called the longest follow-up study of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive early or locally advanced breast cancer treated with a trastuzumab biosimilar. The findings will be formally presented in poster form at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2021.
Investigators said 5-year event-free survival rates in the phase 3 study were 82.8% in the biosimilar (Ontruzant) cohort and 79.7% in the reference trastuzumab (Herceptin) group.
Five-year overall survival rates were 93.1% and 86.7% for the biosimilar (HR 0.62; 95% CI, 0.32-1.22; P = .17) and originator drug cohorts, respectively.
Investigators reported 3 cases of asymptomatic significant left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decrease (Ontruzant, n = 1). Each of these patients recovered with LVEF ≥ 50%. There were no cases of symptomatic congestive heart failure or cardiac death in either cohort.
Events of recurrence, progression and death were reported for 17.2% of patients in the biosimilar group (HR 0.78; 95% CI, 0.48-1.25; P = .30) and 21% in the reference cohort.
Patients in the biosimilar cohort (n = 186) and the reference group (n = 181) received 8 cycles of trastuzumab concurrently with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting. After surgery, they received 10 cycles of trastuzumab over 1 year. Median follow-up duration was 68 months from the point of randomization.
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.
How State Substitution Laws Shape Insulin Biosimilar Adoption
April 15th 2025States with fewer restrictions on biosimilar substitution tend to see higher uptake of interchangeable insulin glargine, showing how even small policy details can significantly influence biosimilar adoption and expand access to more affordable insulin.
Biosimilars Policy Roundup for September 2024—Podcast Edition
October 6th 2024On this episode of Not So Different, we discuss the FDA's approval of a new biosimilar for treating retinal conditions, which took place in September 2024 alongside other major industry developments, including ongoing legal disputes and broader trends in market dynamics and regulatory challenges.
Experts Pressure Congress to Remove Roadblocks for Biosimilars
April 12th 2025Lawmakers and expert witnesses emphasized the potential of biosimilars to lower health care costs by overcoming barriers like pharmacy benefit manager practices, limited awareness, and regulatory delays to improve access and competition in chronic disease management during a recent congressional hearing.
