As we previously reported, in September 2017 FDA issued draft guidance entitled Statistical Approaches to Evaluate Analytical Similarity that “describes the type[s] of information a sponsor of a proposed biosimilar product should obtain” to support a showing of analytical similarity to a licensed reference product biologic. Today, FDA withdrew this draft guidance….
Last month we reported that Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Alaska were in the process of considering biosimilar substitution bills. Vermont and Connecticut recently enacted their respective bills. On May 30, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed bill S.92 into law as Act No. 193. The Act directs pharmacists to dispense…
As we reported last month, YL Biologics (a joint venture between Lupin’s subsidiary Kyowa and Yoshindo) recently submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) for Marketing Authorization of Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) for YLB113, a proposed biosimilar of Enbrel® (etanercept). Yesterday, Lupin and Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical announced that they…
Several biopharmaceutical developers recently announced significant regulatory submission activity in connection with biosimilar products in their pipelines. In addition to yesterday’s news about the U.S. FDA’s approval of Mylan and Biocon’s Fulphila™ (pegfilgrastim-jmdb) biosimilar product, below are some highlights: On June 1, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use…
Over the past few weeks, numerous biologics and biosimilar companies released their quarterly earnings for Q1 2018 and held related earnings calls. Below are some highlights: On April 17, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) reported a 22.5% year-over-year (YOY) decline in U.S. sales of Remicade® (infliximab), which it attributed “to increased discounts/rebates,…
Over the past week, biopharmaceutical developers from around the world provided updates on the development and availability of a number of biosimilar products and candidates. Below are some highlights. On May 2, Mundipharma, a global network of independent associated companies, announced that the trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma® is now available in…
Yesterday, Sandoz announced that the FDA has issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) regarding its aBLA for its proposed biosimilar of Rituxan® (rituximab). Sandoz states that it “stands behind the evidence that it submitted to the FDA and that, “[w]hile disappointed, Sandoz remains committed to further discussions with FDA in…
Last week, Japan-based Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co. announced the completion of a biologics production facility in Osong, South Korea by its Korean affiliate Aprogen Biologics “[t]o provide a stable supply of premium quality biosimilars to market in the USA as well as Japan.” The facility will reportedly use a perfusion system…
Today, Pfizer announced that it received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA in response to Pfizer’s application for its proposed biosimilar of Herceptin® (trastuzumab). According to Pfizer’s press release, the CRL “highlighted the need for additional technical information,” but the “requested information does not relate to safety or…
Pegfilgrastim litigation We had previously covered Judge Stark’s grant of Coherus’s motion to dismiss Amgen’s complaint alleging infringement of the ‘707 patent in Amgen v. Coherus. Today, Judge Stark entered judgment against Amgen and dismissed the case. In the Amgen v. Mylan litigation earlier covered here, Mylan recently filed a…