The full version of this biosimilars feature can be read in the August issue of our digital magazine: http://www.pharmtech.com/ptedigital0810
Huub Schellekens
|
The biggest differences between the development of a biosimilar and a generic medicine lie primarily in the preclinical and
clinical stages. Unlike with classical generics, in order to obtain marketing authorisation, biosimilars manufacturers must
submit animal data and data on efficacy in patients. The exact requirements depend on the product. For epoetins, for example,
two clinical efficacy trials are expected, but for G-CSF induction of leukocytes in a volunteer study is considered adequate.
Another important part of the biosimilar submission process is the similarity exercise, i.e. where the biosimilar must prove
to be sufficiently similar to the original product in terms of quality, safety and efficacy.
Define similar
The European regulations from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have not set any specifications concerning the differences
that are acceptable between the biosimilar and the original product. Differences will always be found, for instance in the
glycosylation between two epoetin products, but if the clinical data show that these differences are not clinically important,
the EMA will accept them.
In practice biosimilar manufacturers have analysed the original product for a number of years to get data on the batch-to-batch
variation and their specifications are set based on the quality of the original. The monograph included within the European
Pharmacopeia is another source of specifications and quality attributes.
In Utrecht University we are currently analysing the quality of biosimilar epoetins and we find these comparable and sometimes
even higher in quality than the originals.
Slow uptake
In general, clinicians prefer not to switch patients from one biologic to another. This is reinforced by statements by the
EMA, which state that a biosimilar authorisation does not imply that the product is exchangeable with the original as is the
case with generics. In addition there are concerns about the long-term safety of biosimilars, because they have only recently
been introduced; clinicians want to wait for a couple of years until the safety is established. As such, all biosimilar companies
are required by the EMA to study long-term safety post-marketing. Further, to make the biosimilar treatment traceable, substitution
without the consent of the treating physician is discouraged and even made illegal in some European countries.
Although there is no specific pharmacovigilance programme in place for biosimilars in Europe, as for any other drug, biosimilars
manufacturers are required to submit a risk management programme, which includes a comprehensive pharmacovigilance programme.
Although the biosimilar companies run these programmes, the EMA first evaluates the capacity of the companies to comply with
pharmacovigilance demands.
Finally, although the key selling point of a biosimilar is its low price, this may not be deemed sufficiently lower than the
originator in order to stimulate its use.
Huub Schellekens is Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Innovation Studies at Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
