Biosimilar products: evaluation of biosimilarity and comparability

Authors

  • Begoña Calvo Hernáez Área de Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica. Facultad de Farmacia. Universidad del País Vasco / EHU. Vitoria-Gasteiz (España)
  • Leyre Zúñiga Hernando Área de Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica. Facultad de Farmacia. Universidad del País Vasco / EHU. Vitoria-Gasteiz (España)
  • Paloma Gómez López-Tello Área de Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica. Facultad de Farmacia. Universidad del País Vasco / EHU. Vitoria-Gasteiz (España)

Keywords:

Biosimilars, Comparability, Recombinant proteins, EMA, Generic medicines

Abstract

Some biotechnology-derived medicines (e.g. therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies) patents have expired allowing the so-called biosimilars hit the market. As biosimilars are similar but not identical to the innovator product the existing legal framework for generic drugs does not apply.

The applicant of a biosimilar marketing authorization must demonstrate that its product is as safe and effective as the innovator product (reference product). This comparison is performed by means of a “biosimilarity /comparability exercise”, which includes analytical characterization of both products (innovator and biosimilar), stability studies and preclinical and clinical studies to determine the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamic and immunogenic evaluation of the biosimilar medicine. Efficacy and safety studies are also required.

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References

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Published

2013-12-20

How to Cite

1.
Calvo Hernáez B, Zúñiga Hernando L, Gómez López-Tello P. Biosimilar products: evaluation of biosimilarity and comparability. Ars Pharm [Internet]. 2013 Dec. 20 [cited 2025 Jan. 4];54(4):32-6. Available from: https://revistaseug.ugr.es/index.php/ars/article/view/4653

Issue

Vol. 54 No. 4 (2013)

Section

Short Articles

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