Latest Conference Articles

The Challenge of Educating Patients on Biosimilars

Kelly Davio

October 23 2018

While provider education on biosimilars presents a hurdle for health systems worldwide, patient education is also an area of significant need. During the fifth DIA Biosimilars Conference, held October 22 to 23 in London, United Kingdom, several stakeholders addressed this challenge.

Switching to Biosimilar Etanercept Is Safe and Effective in RA

Samantha DiGrande

October 23 2018

As more biosimilars are earning regulatory approvals in both the United States and the European Union, the question of whether to switch patients (and at what point to do so) continues to be discussed; researchers will present findings from 2 etanercept switching studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the American College of Rheumatology’s (ACR) Annual meeting, held in Chicago, Illinois October 19-24, 2018.

What Do Providers Need to Know About Biosimilars?

Kelly Davio

October 22 2018

With a number of new biosimilars making their way to market and eventually to the clinic, it is crucial that healthcare providers become educated about and comfortable with biosimilar products. During a session at the fifth DIA Biosimilars Conference, held October 22 to 23 in London, United Kingdom, experts addressed a number of key areas for provider education.

3 Studies Report on Biosimilar Adalimumab

Samantha DiGrande

October 22 2018

During the American College of Rheumatology’s Annual Meeting, held in Chicago, Illinois from October 19-24, 2018, various researchers will present findings on the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of 3 adalimumab biosimilars.

The Clinical Trials Landscape Is Evolving in Biosimilar Development

Kelly Davio

October 22 2018

Among the hottest topics in biosimilar development is the future of clinical trials, and that fact was evident during the opening session of the fifth DIA Biosimilars Conference, held October 22 to 23 in London, United Kingdom. During the presentation, a review of the biosimilar regulatory framework, 4 experts explained the ways in which the landscape for clinical trials is evolving for biosimilars.

Researchers Present on Immunogenicity of Biosimilar Anti-TNF Agents

Kelly Davio

October 21 2018

The potential for the development of antidrug antibodies is a key concern among prescribers who use all biologics that target tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Two presentations at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, which will be held from October 19-24, 2018, will address the immunogenicity of biosimilars in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

Research Focuses on Etanercept Biosimilar SB4, Treatment Retention, and Disease Activity

Samantha DiGrande

October 18 2018

As biosimilar etanercept SB4, sold in many markets as Benepali, has entered the rheumatoid arthritis treatment space, researchers have recognized the need to investigate the retention rates and disease activity scores among patients receiving SB4 and its reference.

Despite Educational Efforts, Providers Still Lack Knowledge on Biosimilars

Kelly Davio

October 18 2018

Stakeholders hoping to see increased uptake of biosimilars in the United States are increasingly pointing to a lack of provider awareness as a key hindrance to the biosimilars marketplace. New research, to be presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, held from October 19-24, 2018, suggests that, despite efforts to educate providers, awareness of biosimilars—as well as awareness of patients’ attitudes toward them—remains low.

Lessons Learned From Nonmedical Switching

Kelly Davio

October 16 2018

As more biosimilars are poised to become available to US patients, American rheumatologists are looking to their European counterparts for lessons learned from nonmedical switches from reference products to biosimilars. During the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, held from October 19-24, 2018, several research teams will present on nonmedical switching in the European context.

Review Finds Better Efficacy of Biologics in Trials Without Placebo

Samantha DiGrande

October 15 2018

A review was recently conducted among 2 different types of randomized clinical trials in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA): those comparing reference biologics’ efficacy versus placebo, and those comparing reference biologics’ efficacy versus biosimilars.