Significant biosimilar activities this week include:
07 Sep 22 | Celltrion’s ustekinumab biosimilar Ph III trials
Yonhap News Agency reported that Celltrion’s ustekinumab biosimilar CT-P43 Ph III trials demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to Janssen’s Stelara®. Data from the global 28-week study in 509 plaque psoriasis patients was presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress 2022 in Milan, Italy.
07 Sep 22 | US | Genentech and Samsung Bioepis settle US BPCIA bevacizumab (Avastin®) dispute
Genentech and Samsung Bioepis filed a joint stipulation of dismissal in the District Court of Delaware in the bevacizumab BPCIA dispute, settling all claims and counter-claims. Genentech filed the suit against Samsung Bioepis in June 2020, alleging infringement of 14 patents relating to bevacizumab (Avastin®). No further details about the settlement agreement have been disclosed.
09 Sep 22 | US | Biogen files natalizumab (Tysabri®) BPCIA case against Sandoz/Polpharma in Delaware
Biogen filed a sealed complaint against Sandoz and Polpharma for infringement of 28 Biogen patents in the District of Delaware relating to Sandoz’s biosimilar natalizumab (Tysabri®). Whilst the complaint was accepted under seal, Biogen was ordered to file a redacted complaint by 19 September 2022. Sandoz and Polpharma announced that they had entered into a licensing deal for Polpharma’s natalizumab biosimilar in September 2019, and the FDA accepted Sandoz’s ABLA for biosimilar natalizumab in July 2022.
12 Sep 22 | Novartis announces USD300 million investment in early development of biotherapeutics
Novartis announced that it will invest USD300 million in the creation of a fully integrated, dedicated facility for early development of biotherapeutics. The investment will be used to strengthen Novartis’ existing campuses in Basel and Schaftenau, and to create a dedicated biologics campus in Menges, Slovenia.
13 Sep 22 | CA | Health Canada approves Lupin’s Rymti® (biosimilar etanercept)
Lupin announced that Health Canada has approved Rymti® (biosimilar etanercept) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondylarthritis (including ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondylarthritis), plaque psoriasis and paediatric plaque psoriasis.
13 Sep 22 | CA | Health Canada Approves KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in additional melanoma indication
Merck announced that Health Canada has granted approval for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), for the adjuvant treatment of adult and paediatric (12 years and older) patients with stage IIB or IIC melanoma following complete resection.
15 Sep 22 | US | Apotex files IPR against Regeneron aflibercept patent
Apotex filed an IPR against Regeneron, seeking revocation of Regeneron’s method of treatment (MOT) patent US 11,253,572, relating to the sequential administration of 2mg doses of aflibercept (Eylea®) on the grounds of anticipation and obviousness.
16 Sep 22 | EU | CHMP recommends Ximluci® (biosimilar ranibizumab)
STADA and Xbrane Biopharma announced that the CHMP provided a positive opinion for Ximluci® (biosimilar ranibizumab). If approved, ranibizumab will be the sixth biosimilar approval for STADA, following adalimumab, bevacizumab, epoetin zeta, pegfilgrastim and teriparatide.
16 Sep 22 | EU | Prestige Biopharma voluntarily withdraws EMA application for HD201, biosimilar trastuzumab (Herceptin®)
Korea Biomedical Review reported that Prestige Biopharma has voluntarily withdrawn its EMA application for the HD201 (Tuznue®, biosimilar trastuzumab). Prestige received a negative opinion from the CHMP in May 2022, with the CHMP taking the view that the manufacturing process used for the commercial production of these medicines differed from that used during clinical testing. Prestige reportedly was not able to establish equivalence in a requested re-examination by CHMP. Prestige has represented that following withdrawal, it will supplement its data and resubmit with EMA this year.
16 Sep 22 | AU | Biosimilars: Strategies for AU market entry
Pearce IP’s Naomi Pearce speaks to Kate Legge about the key IP strategies to enable the launch of biosimilars around the world, with a particular focus on Australia. Offering practical tips to success for biosimilar companies, this 14 minute PiPCast touches on:
- biosimilar FTO/clearance strategies, litigation, and settlement strategies;
- key lessons learned from the 11 AbbVie global royalty bearing deals relating to adalimumab (Humira®); and
- Australian biosimilar litigations.
Pearce IP offers Australian based, life sciences focused lawyers, attorneys and regulatory affairs experts, with incomparable global experience, technical competence, and commercial elegance. Call us today on 02 9023 9988 or email info@pearceIP.law.