Biosimilar Drugs Research Articles

BIOSIMILAR MEDICINAL PRODUCTS – LEGISLATIVE DECISIONS AND MARKET ENTRY

Biosimilar drugs, structurally identical and manufactured similarly to original biologic drugs, offer potential cost reductions in therapeutic practice, albeit with variations in adoption across European countries. This review synthesizes findings from literature examining legislative decisions and their effects on biosimilar market entry in Europe. Drawing from scientific articles and official documents, the review reveals that biologics constitute 36% of European drug expenditure, with the market valued at €78.6 billion in 2021 and growing annually at 10.5% over the past five years. Approximately 15% of new active substances centrally approved by the EMA in 2020 were biologics. The European biosimilars market is projected to reach €8.8 billion in 2021. Various measures are being implemented to boost biosimilar uptake, including pricing strategies, reimbursement policies, and substitution practices. Access, measured in terms of availability and time to entry, is still difficult in a number of countries, but legislative measures are helping biosimilars enter European markets more quickly.

A Study of the Comparability of the Pharmacodynamic, Toxicological, and Pharmacokinetic Properties of the Reference Drug Pulmozyme® and the Biosimilar Drug Tigerase®.

The article presents the results of studies of the drug Tigerase® (inhalation solution manufactured by JSC GENERIUM, Russia), conducted to obtain evidence of its similarity (comparability) to the reference drug Pulmozyme® (inhalation solution, manufactured by Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Switzerland). Both drugs contain human recombinant deoxyribonuclease I (dornase alfa) as an active substance and are intended for the treatment of cystic fibrosis with pulmonary manifestations (mucoviscidosis). The enzymatic activity of dornase alfa, contained in the studied drugs, was investigated in vitro and ex vivo on samples of purulent sputum of patients. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the drugs in the blood serum, bronchi, and lungs, as well as the main physiological parameters (body weight and temperature, the state of the cardiovascular, respiratory, excretory systems, hematological and biochemical blood parameters, pathomorphological changes in internal organs (including the state of the cornea), and mortality rates) were investigated in comparative studies of subchronic toxicity in juvenile and mature rats with 28-day inhalation at doses of 0.2 mg/kg for mature animals and 0.26 mg/kg for juvenile animals (the dose was 6 times higher than the dose recommended for clinical use). The results of the studies allow us to conclude that the drugs are comparable in enzymatic, mucolytic (secretolytic) DNase activity, safety profile and main pharmacokinetic parameters.

Retrospective analysis of survival and safety of bevacizumab biosimilar and original drug combination chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer.

The advent of bevacizumab has considerably transformed the therapeutic landscape for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients devoid of specific genetic mutations. A pivotal milestone has been reached with the recent approval of a bevacizumab biosimilar, following rigorous phase III clinical investigations, poised to augment NSCLC therapeutic strategies. This retrospective analysis encompasses a large-scale study conducted between January 2021 and December 2023, involving 1058 NSCLC patients (metastatic or locally advanced stages). The research design entailed a comparative assessment of the safety and efficacy profiles of combined therapies using the original bevacizumab and its biosimilar, adhering to RECIST v1.1 criteria. Adverse event grading was standardized using the National Cancer Institute's CTCAE v5.0. Notably, the biosimilar demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 29.79% in 606 patients, closely paralleling the 27.41% ORR observed in 452 patients receiving the original drug, with insignificant risk differences (-0.03) and a risk ratio of 0.987, affirming equivalence. Progression-free survival (PFS) was influenced by radiation status, treatment lines, and regimen combinations, while dosage intensity and genetic factors had negligible impacts. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was slightly higher in the biosimilar group (75.11%) versus the original drug group (72.78%), with grade 3 or more severe TEAEs occurring in 23.6% and 18.5% of patients, respectively (Detailed criteria for the definition and assessment of TEAEs have been added to the Methods section, including the use of the National Cancer Institute's CTCAE v5.0 for grading). The study affirms that bevacizumab biosimilars offer equivalent therapeutic efficacy and a similar safety profile to the originator product in the management of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. The tolerability of the toxicity profile, coupled with the absence of unforeseen adverse reactions, underscores the viability of biosimilar bevacizumab as a valuable addition to NSCLC treatment regimens. These findings also imply potential benefits for a broader patient population beyond clinical trial confines through the adoption of biosimilar beta-adrenergic blocking agents.

Drug utilization and medication adherence for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis: an Italian study.

This study aims to evaluate the persistence, treatment adherence and drug cost associated with biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) in the management of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Italy, with a focus on biosimilar drugs. This was a retrospective observational study involving eight hospital pharmacies, between January 2017 and December 2020, on naïve patients with at least one b/tsDMARD dispensation indicated for PsA. Patients were followed up for 12 months and persistence and adherence were evaluated by proportion of days covered (PDC). The originator and biosimilar for adalimumab and etanercept were compared. Furthermore, the real annual cost per patient based on adherence to therapy was calculated. Patients initiating b/tsDMARDs for PsA had a mean persistence of 263 days and 48.6% remained persistent for 1 year. Adherent patients (PDC ≥ 0.8) were 47.6% for the overall population. Similar persistence and adherence were observed between patients treated with the adalimumab originator and its biosimilar, while patients treated with the etanercept originator showed lower persistence and adherence compared to those treated with its biosimilar (mean persistence: 222 vs. 267 days, patient persistent at 1 year: 29.4% vs. 51.5%, mean PDC: 0.53 vs. 0.70, adherent patients: 23.5% vs. 51.5%). The average annual drug cost ranged from €8,724 (etanercept) to €14,783 (ustekinumab), with an annual saving of more than €2,500 by using biosimilars. Poor adherence to medications contributes to suboptimal clinical outcomes. The comparison between biosimilar and originator offers further evidence in support of the biosimilar to optimizing resources in healthcare.

Analysis of prescriptive monitoring regarding the current therapeutic landscape of rheumatoid arthritis: the experience of an Italian local health authority

ABSTRACT Introduction Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is among the most prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases affecting millions of people with a significant expenditure of resources by National Healthcare Systems. This study aimed to analyze all available treatments exclusively for RA to highlight the costs of each treatment type and raise awareness of the use of biosimilar drugs. Methods In an Italian healthcare authority, all prescriptions made for the diagnosis of RA were extracted to verify consumption expressed in Defined Daily Dose (DDD) and the expenditure incurred expressed in euros. Consequently, a grouping into three major drug categories has been performed: anti – tumor necrosis factor alpha agents (TNFα), other injectable formulations, and novel oral formulations. Results Prescriptions for the second half-year 2022 and 2023 have been analyzed, with a total cost of almost 7 million euros in the sample considered. All pharmaceutical categories showed an increase in consumption, but only anti- TNFα recorded a decrease in costs from 25% in 2022 to 22% in 2023, thanks to the lower cost of the biosimilar drug. Conclusion The costs of RA may represent a significant spending commitment for central governments. As a result, actions are needed to encourage the preferential use of biosimilar drugs.

Increased biosimilar options in oncology and impact on administrative burden caused by drug switches: Implications of step therapy.

18 Background: Within drug classes, some payers require a particular drug to be tried and failed first, before reimbursing other drugs within the same drug . This is called a step-edit. These step edits are mandated despite physician or patient preference. With the increased utilization of biosimilar drugs, the instances of step edits have dramatically increased. With the increase of step edits the administrative burden of inventory management, authorizations, appeals and regimen maintenance has significantly increased. The extent of the increased step therapy requirements and associated costs are unclear. Methods: Drug conversions due to step edit requirements were tracked for twelve months and compared to the same twelve-month period the prior year at Tennessee Oncology, a large community-based practice. Ten drug classes containing biosimilar options were reviewed for ten different payers. The review monitored the addition of biosimilar drug options within the various drug classes and the number of patients that required a switch to an alternate therapy, solely due to payer step edits. A per patient cost was calculated by evaluating the time spent per patient to obtain an authorization, manage inventory, appeal denials and revise regimens. Results: July-Dec 2022, 83 patients required drug conversions due to payer step edits. This included eight payers within the ten drug classes. Each drug class had an average of 3 therapies. July -Dec 2023, over 500 patients were converted due to payer step edits. Each drug class had an average of eight step therapy choices. The cost of conversion, per patient, was an average of $76.00. If extrapolated, $76,000 in 2023 compared to 12,616 in 2022. It was noted that not all required drug switches resulted in the least costly drug being mandated by the payer. There were cases where the practice was required to switch from a less costly drug to a more costly drug due to a payer step edit. Conclusions: There was a six-fold increase in the number of patients requiring a step-edit year over year. This increased the administrative burden of drug management while costing practices over $75 per switch each . Step edit drug classes and drug choices have also grown exponentially highlighting the fact that the step therapy trend continues to grow and become more complex. Physician practices bear the financial burden of the payer UM requirements and patients are placed in the middle. 2022 vs 2023 required drug switches due to step edits. Payer Drug Classes Requiring Step Therapy 2022 Drug Classes Requiring Step Therapy 2023 Total Drug Agents With Step Edits 2022 Total Drug Agents With Step Edits 2023 Payer 1 0 1 0 6 Payer 2 7 9 14 49 Payer 3 0 1 0 6 Payer 4 0 9 0 49 Payer 5 2 9 3 49 Payer 6 2 9 4 49 Payer 7 4 10 12 53 Payer 8 3 10 10 50 Payer 9 7 9 9 49 Payer 10 6 9 18 49 Total 31 76 70 409

Higher Order Structure Differences Among Insulin Crystalline Drugs Revealed by 2D heteronuclear NMR.

During therapeutic protein development, two-dimensional (2D) heteronuclear NMR spectra can be a powerful analytical method for measuring protein higher order structure (HOS) in solution since the spectra exhibit much higher resolution than homonuclear 1H spectra. However, 2D NMR capabilities for characterizing protein HOS in crystalline states remain to be assessed, given the low 13C natural abundance and intrinsically broader lines in solid-state NMR (SSNMR). Herein, high-resolution heteronuclear correlation (HETCOR) SSNMR was utilized to directly measure intact crystal drug products of insulin human, insulin analogs of insulin lispro and insulin aspart. The fingerprint regions in 2D 1H-13C HETCOR spectra were identified, which distinguished the insulin crystals in their primary structure, HOS heterogeneity and dynamics, as well as the manufacturing processes. The HOS heterogeneity in insulin analogs is consistent with their therapeutic effect of rapid action; while insulin human crystals showed more structural homogeneity, consistent with their slower pharmacokinetics (PK)peak time than insulin analogs. Therefore, heteronuclear NMR could be broadly applicable to study protein drug dosage forms from liquid to solid, yielding improved molecular level structure data for assessing drug HOS in biosimilar drug development.

New Biosimilar Drugs Approved for Wet AMD.

New Biosimilar Drugs Approved for Wet AMD.

Modelling the opportunity for cost-savings or patient access with biosimilar adalimumab and tocilizumab: a European perspective

Objectives Biosimilars improve patient access by providing cost-effective treatment options. This study assessed the potential for savings and expanded patient access with increased use of two biosimilar disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs): (a) approved adalimumab biosimilars and (b) the first tocilizumab biosimilar, representing an established biosimilar field and a recent biosimilar entrant in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK). Methods Separate ex-ante analyses were conducted for each country, parameterized using country-specific list prices, unit volumes annually, and market shares for each therapy. Discounting scenarios of 10%, 20%, and 30% were tested for tocilizumab. Outputs included direct cost-savings associated with drug acquisition or the incremental number of patients that could be treated if savings were redirected. Two biosimilar conversion scenarios were tested. Results Savings associated with a 100% conversion to adalimumab biosimilar ranged from €10.5 to €187 million (UK and Germany, respectively), or an additional 1,096 to 19,454 patients that could be treated using the cost-savings. Introduction of a tocilizumab biosimilar provided savings up to €29.3 million in the most conservative scenario. Exclusive use of tocilizumab biosimilars (at a 30% discount) could increase savings to €28.8 to €113 million or expand access to an additional 43% of existing tocilizumab users across countries. Conclusion This study demonstrates the benefits that can be realized through increased biosimilar adoption, not only in an untapped tocilizumab market, but also through incremental increases in well-established markets such as adalimumab. As healthcare budgets continue to face downwards pressure globally, strategies to increase biosimilar market share could prove useful to help manage financial constraints.

Safety of Pembroria® during non-medical switching from Keytruda® in patients with advanced malignant neoplasms of various localizations: the REFLECTION real-world study

Background. Post-registration observational studies with switching therapy from the original drug to a biosimilar for non-medical indications allow us to assess the safety and effectiveness of this type of switching in real clinical practice. Aim. Evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of non-medical switching from the original drug Keytruda® to the biosimilar drug Pembroria® in patients with various oncological pathologies in real clinical practice (REFLECTION). Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of data from electronic medical records from 21 medical institutions of the Russian Federation for the period 2020–2023 was carried out. Data were included from patients with cancer of various locations who received at least 2 injections of Keytruda® followed by switching to Pembroria® for non-medical indications (at least 2 injections). Primary criteria: incidence of immune-mediated adverse reactions (ImARs) of any severity. Secondary indicators: incidence of ImARs of various degrees of severity and infusion reactions, frequency of objective response rate (according to RECIST 1.1 criteria). Results. The analysis included data from 382 patients (male/female 200/182, median age 62 years) with NSCLC (24.1%), RCC (23.3%), melanoma (20.4%) and cancer of other localization. Patients received Keytruda® on 1st and 2nd lines (54.2 and 25.4% of patients, respectively), on 3 or 4 lines (14.1%), or as part of adjuvant therapy (6.3%). 50.5% of patients received pembrolizumab as monotherapy. The median number of administrations was 7.0 and 5.0 for Keytruda® and Pembroria®, respectively. ImARs were registered in 44 (11.5%) patients (60 ImARs), including 40 ImARs in 35 (9.2%) patients while using Keytruda® and 20 ImARs in 17 (2.4%) patients with Pembroria®. The most common ImARs were hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and hepatitis; the frequency of these ImARs was higher with Keytruda® (EAER for hypothyroidism 0.00422 and 0.00144, for hepatitis – 0.00124 and 0.00096, respectively). All 5 reported cases of hyperthyroidism in patients on Keytruda® (EAER 0.00124), were resolved before switching to Pembroria®. No infusion-related reactions or deaths due to ImARs have been reported. The objective response rate was comparable – 104 (32.6%) and 90 (29.2%) patients оn Keytruda® and Pembroria® therapy, respectively. Most patients maintained disease control after switching to Pembroria® [progression was recorded in 29 (9.4%) patients after switching to a biosimilar]. Conclusion. The safety profiles of Keytruda® and Pembroria® were satisfactory and comparable in this study. Switching from therapy with Keytruda® to Pembroria® is not accompanied by an increase in the frequency or severity of ImARs. Switching from Keytruda® to Pembroria® maintains disease control in most patients.

New Biosimilar Drugs Approved for Osteoporosis.

New Biosimilar Drugs Approved for Osteoporosis.

Cost-Effectiveness of Biosimilars vs Leflunomide in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had an inadequate response to methotrexate, a treatment sequence initiated with biosimilar disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) provides better clinical efficacy compared with conventional synthetic DMARDs recommended by current treatment guidelines; but its cost-effectiveness evidence remains unclear. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the treatment sequence initiated with biosimilar DMARDs after failure with methotrexate vs leflunomide and inform formulary listing decisions. This economic evaluation's cost-effectiveness analysis was performed at a Hong Kong public institution using the Markov disease transition model to simulate the lifetime disease progression and cost for patients with RA, using monetary value in 2022. Scenario and sensitivity analyses were performed to test the internal validity of the modeling conclusion. Participants included patients diagnosed with RA from 2000 to 2021 who were retrieved retrospectively from local electronic medical records to generate model input parameters. Statistical analysis was performed from January 2023 to March 2024. The model assesses 3 competing treatment sequences initiated with biosimilar infliximab (CT-P13), biosimilar adalimumab (ABP-501), and leflunomide; all used in combination with methotrexate. Lifetime health care cost and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of the simulated cohort. In total, 25 099 patients with RA were identified (mean [SD] age, 56 [17] years; 19 469 [72.7%] women). In the base-case analysis, the lifetime health care cost and QALYs for the treatment sequence initiated with leflunomide were US $154 632 and 14.82 QALYs, respectively; for biosimilar infliximab, they were US $152 326 and 15.35 QALYs, respectively; and for biosimilar adalimumab, they were US $145 419 and 15.55 QALYs, respectively. Both biosimilar sequences presented lower costs and greater QALYs than the leflunomide sequence. In the deterministic sensitivity analysis, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (US$/QALY) comparing biosimilar infliximab sequence vs leflunomide sequence and biosimilar adalimumab sequence vs leflunomide sequence ranged from -15 797 to -8615 and -9088 to 10 238, respectively, all below the predefined willingness-to-pay threshold (US $48 555/QALY gain). In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, the probability of treatment sequence initiated with leflunomide, biosimilar infliximab, and biosmilar adalimumab being cost-effective out of 10 000 iterations was 0%, 9%, and 91%, respectively. In this economic evaluation study, the treatment sequences initiated with biosimilar DMARDs were cost-effective compared with the treatment sequence initiated with leflunomide in managing patients with RA who experienced failure with the initial methotrexate treatment. These results suggest the need to update clinical treatment guidelines for initiating biosimilars immediately after the failure of methotrexate for patients with RA.

Charting the Etanercept Journey: Tracing Cost Dynamics in Poland's Off-Patent Market from Reference Drug Rivalry to Biosimilar Monopoly.

To evaluate the pricing of etanercept (ETN) reference and biosimilar drugs in a changing competitive to monopolized market. We conducted a comprehensive, retrospective analysis of ETN market competition, specifically changes in tender price based on shifts in market monopoly, including the effects on cost evolution, in the off-patent market in Poland. We included a total of 473 tenders for ETN purchase in dedicated biologic drug reimbursement programs, covering both pre-filled syringes and automatic injectors. This study covers the timeframe from November 2017 to December 2023, throughout which we evaluated a unique setting of ETN market re-monopolization from the perspective of payer, hospital and patient benefits resulting from changing cost calculations. Between 2017 and 2022, Erelzi was recorded as having the largest total tender volume (59%), with a mean price [per ETN daily defined dose (DDD)] of €7.28, followed by Enbrel (31%, €8.34) and Benepali (10%, €9.45), respectively. Over the last 6 months of waning market competition, the mean price for winning bids was estimated at €5.69. After market re-monopolization by an ETN biosimilar, the mean price of winning bids increased to €8.09, and continued to increase (€9.71) in the last 6 months of available follow-up. In contrast to the competitive era, no significant relationship between tender volume and winning price was recorded after re-monopolization. In the most recent tenders, mean ETN prices increased up to €15.82, nearly tripling the lowest prices of the competitive market period. In the early re-monopolization market, mean annual treatment cost per patient is estimated at over €3800, which exceeds therapy costs in the prior competitive market years, and is expected to increase to over €6200 based on the most recent tenders. On a healthcare system level, this corresponds to over €3.42 million excess costs due to market monopoly. Higher ETN prices resulted in downstream failure of regulatory incentives to promote affordable biologics. Due to higher pricing, hospitals lost over an estimated €2.52 million, with possible risk of treatment restrictions. For the same reason, the public payer achieved comparable savings, allowing for partial coverage of higher reimbursement expenses. This nation-level scenario of market re-monopolization by a biosimilar drug confirms net loss and excess costs for the healthcare payer, as can be expected from economic theory. The upwards drug repricing and restriction of treatment availability occurs much more rapidly than the decrement in a period of market competition.

Benefits of Biosimilars in the Management of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An International Survey.

Background/Objectives: The development of biosimilar drugs has revolutionized the management of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), significantly reducing healthcare costs. However, the impact of biosimilar availability on patient care is unknown. We conducted a survey to investigate the benefits of using biosimilars in patients with IBD. Methods: Physicians involved in the IBD care were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey. The questionnaire consisted of 42 questions addressing availability, cost, recommendations, and positioning regarding the use of biosimilars. Results: A total of 233 physicians (88.4% gastroenterologists) from 63 countries worldwide participated in the survey. Most respondents had >10 years of practice (202/233, 85.9%). Biosimilars were available in almost all cases (221, 94.8%), and over two-thirds of respondents had more than one biosimilar of adalimumab or infliximab on hospital formulary. In most cases, adalimumab and infliximab biosimilars had a reduced cost of at least 30% compared to the originators. The savings resulting from the use of biosimilars allowed physicians to improve patient care (3/233, 1.3%) or to improve research (2/233, 0.8%) in only a few cases. Interestingly, for about 50% of respondents, the cost of biologics was a limitation for patient access to therapy. For the majority of participants, the availability of biosimilars did not influence treatment decisions in Crohn's disease (70/165, 42.4%) and ulcerative colitis (83/165, 50.3%). Conclusions: The reduced cost of biosimilars compared to reference products is the main driver of choice in IBD. The impact of biosimilars of ustekinumab and vedolizumab in improving access to therapies and changing the treatment algorithm remains to be defined.

Head-to-head studies on radiographic progression in axial spondyloarthritis

In this review article four clinical comparative studies in axial spondylarthritis (axSpA) are presented and discussed. SURPASS as the only head-to-head study investigated the effect of adalimumab biosimilar disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bsDMARD) or secukinumab on radiographic progression over a time period of 2 years. Overall, the radiographic progression of the spine was low and no significant difference between adalimumab bsDMARD or secukinumab was noted. The three other studies were not constructed as direct head-to-head studies but compared the efficacy of non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs (NSARD) with and without simultaneous treatment with biological DMARDs (bDMARD). The CONSUL study showed no statistically significant difference in the delay of radiographic progression of the spine over 2 years in radiographic axSpA (r-axSpA) patients, who underwent either combined treatment with golimumab and celecoxib or treatment with golimumab alone over 2 years. The ESTHER study showed that patients with early axSpA active inflammatory lesions, which were detected by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), showed a significantly greater improvement under treatment with etanercept than those treated with sulfasalazine. The INFAST study showed that patients with early active axSpA who received a combined treatment of infliximab and naproxen, achieved a clinical remission twice as frequently as those who only received naproxen. Therefore, for the endpoint of radiological progression no difference could be shown in the inhibition of radiological progression between the mechanisms of action investigated. The comparative data for the endpoint of clinical efficacy showed that patients with bDMARDs showed a clearly better response to treatment than patients with NSAR or conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARD).

Biosimilars and access to biologic therapy in immune-mediated diseases

ABSTRACT Background The rise of biologic agents has been a major breakthrough in treating immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). However, their high cost underscores the need for strategies to optimize treatment efficiency. Biosimilars offer cost-effective alternatives to biologics. This study aimed to assess biosimilar drug availability’s impact on biologic therapy access for IMIDs. Research design and methods A retrospective observational study in 15 Spanish hospitals analyzed IMID patients (arthropathies, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis) initiating biologic therapy with originator or biosimilar drugs (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab). Time to availability and initiation of biologic therapy were assessed. Results 267 patients were included, with 58.4% starting on biosimilars. The mean time to availability of the biologic drugs in the hospitals was 15.9 ± 6.7 months, (20.0 ± 12.4 for originator and 11.8 ± 5.2 for biosimilars). Mean time to biologic treatment was 7.7 ± 9.0 years (8.6 ± 8.9 for originators and 7.0 ± 9.0 for biosimilars). Showing statistically significant differences among conditions. Conclusion The emergence of biosimilar drugs has enhanced market competition and accelerated their adoption into hospitals’ therapeutic regimens over original reference drugs. This has significantly improved access to biologic therapy for patients with IMIDs, evidenced by a notable 1.6-year reduction in access time for biosimilar drugs.

Corrigendum to “The use of the biosimilar drug can lead to large health care savings that can be reinvested for continued innovation: Analysis of consumption of an Italian health care company” [J. Cancer Pol. 40 (2024) 100473]

Corrigendum to “The use of the biosimilar drug can lead to large health care savings that can be reinvested for continued innovation: Analysis of consumption of an Italian health care company” [J. Cancer Pol. 40 (2024) 100473]

Impact of Incorporating Future Mandatory Price Reductions with Generic Drug Entry on the Cost-Effectiveness of New Drugs: A Policy Simulation Study of Dupilumab in Atopic Dermatitis Treatment.

The introduction of high-cost medications often poses challenges in achieving cost-effectiveness for drug insurance coverage. Incorporating future price reductions for these medications may enhance their cost-effectiveness. We examined the influence of future cost reductions mandated by the national insurer's equal pricing for equivalent drugs (EPED) policy on the cost-effectiveness of dupilumab, a biologic drug for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in the Korean healthcare system. We conducted a policy simulation study using semi-Markovian cost utility analysis of dupilumab in combination with supportive care (SC) versus SC alone, with and without the EPED policy adjustment. The EPED would lower dupilumab's price to 70% following the entry of a biosimilar drug in 10.3 years. Scenario analyses quantified the impact of changing time to the EPED, chemical versus biological designation, response criteria, discount rates, and time horizons on the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) and acceptability with and without EPED adjustment. The EPED adjustment of dupilumab's future price significantly improved its cost-effectiveness, with a 9.7% decrease in ICER and a substantial 14.6% increase in acceptability. Assuming EPED in 5 years, the ICER fell below the predefined willingness-to-pay threshold. If dupilumab were a chemical drug, EPED adjustment demonstrated a 19.1% increase in acceptability. Incorporating future cost reductions via the EPED system in economic evaluations is crucial, especially for drugs facing imminent generic entry. This study underscores the importance of EPED adjustment in the cost-effectiveness analysis of innovative medications, especially for those nearing willingness-to-pay thresholds.

Biosimilar Drug Development and Safety: Issues with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases (ARDs)

Biosimilar Drug Development and Safety: Issues with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases (ARDs)

Cancer treatment with biosimilar drugs: A review.

Biosimilars are biological drugs created from living organisms or that contain living components. They share an identical amino-acid sequence and immunogenicity. These drugs are considered to be cost-effective and are utilized in the treatment of cancer and other endocrine disorders. The primary aim of biosimilars is to predict biosimilarity, efficacy, and treatment costs;they are approved by the Foodand DrugAdministration(FDA) and have no clinical implications. They involve analytical studies to understand the similarities and dissimilarities. A biosimilar manufacturer sets up FDA-approved reference products to evaluate biosimilarity. The contribution of next-generation sequencing is evolving to study the organ tumor and its progression with its impactful therapeutic approach on cancer patients to showcase and target rare mutations. The study shall help to understand the future perspectives of biosimilars for use in gastro-entero-logic diseases, colorectal cancer, and thyroid cancer. They also help target specific organs with essential mutational categories and drug prototypes in clinical practices with blood and liquid biopsy, cell treatment, gene therapy, recombinant therapeutic proteins, and personalized medications. Biosimilar derivatives such as monoclonal antibodies like trastuzumab and rituximab are common drugs used in cancer therapy. Escherichia coli produces more than six antibodies or antibody-derived proteins to treat cancer such as filgrastim, epoetin alfa, and so on.