Practice

In Switching to Biosimilar Infliximab in IBD, Rapid Infusion Protocols Are Safe

July 2nd 2019

By Kelly Davio

As more centers begin to switch patients from reference infliximab to biosimilar options, patients who have benefitted from rapid infusions of the reference product may want to continue to receive time-saving infusions that reduce the burden of lengthy visits to infusion centers.

Transplant-Specific Outcomes Similar for Patients Treated With Biosimilar, Reference Filgrastim for Stem Cell Mobilization

June 30th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

Starting in 2017, the Henry Ford Cancer Institute started using follow-on filgrastim (tbo-filgrastim, a product approved prior to the establishment of the biosimilar approval pathway in the United States) and biosimilar filgrastim (Zarxio) in stem cell mobilization prior to transplant.

European Nurses Boost Biosimilar Education With Newly Translated Guide to Switching

June 29th 2019

By The Center for Biosimilars Staff

Article

The European Specialist Nurses Organisation has launched 7 new translations of its guide to the management of switches between reference biologics and biosimilars.

Biosimilar Oncology Roundup: June 2019

June 28th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

June 2019 was a busy month for oncology biosimilars, in both the supportive care and anticancer contexts, with regulatory activity and the presentation of reassuring new data.

Real-World Evidence Shows Switching Among ESAs in CKD Is Not Associated With Risks to Safety, Efficacy

June 24th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

No statistically significant risk in terms of lack of effectiveness or safety was found for patients who switched therapies versus those who remained on their first therapy in either the reference group or the biosimilar group.

Real-World Data Reaffirm Biosimilar Filgrastim's Safety and Efficacy

June 19th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

During the 24th European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress, researchers from the European branch of the Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry reported on experience with reference granulocyte colony-stimulating factor products and a biosimilar.

Infliximab Did Not Result in Lower Rate of Hospitalizations, Surgeries in Canadian Study

June 13th 2019

By Allison Inserro

Article

The introduction of infliximab for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) did not result in lower population rates of hospitalizations or intestinal surgeries among patients living with IBD in Ontario, Canada, according to a study published Thursday.

Working Group Releases Recommendations for Improving Treatment of IBD in Asia Through Biologics, Biosimilars

June 12th 2019

By Allison Inserro

Article

A new consensus paper from the Asia-Pacific Working Group on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) released a set of best practices for improving IBD care with biologics and biosimilars.

"Biomimics" Are Not Biosimilars, PANLAR Statement Warns

June 10th 2019

By Allison Inserro

Article

A consensus statement developed by the Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR) regarding biosimilars warned against the use of so-called "biomimics," or copy biologics.

Systematic Literature Review Calls Economic Impact of Switching to Biosimilars "Uncertain"

June 10th 2019

By Kelly Davio

Article

“This systematic literature review found that the overall economic impact of biosimilar [nonmedical switching] remains uncertain,” write the investigators. More real-world studies will be necessary, they indicate, to quantify the full economic impact of nonmedical switches over the short and long term.