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Introduction
Biologic therapies for autoimmune and (RA), psoriasis (Ps), ankylosing spondylitis (ASp),
inflammatory (A/I) diseases became blockbuster and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), for which they gained
drugs shortly after their first approvals in the late approvals in global markets. Humira and Remicade
1990s (Remicade [infliximab], Enbrel [etanercept]) are also approved for Crohn’s disease (CD) and
and early 2000s (Humira [adalimumab], Rituxan ulcerative colitis (UC), indications for which Enbrel
[rituximab]). The patent protections for these drugs was not developed. Rituxan, a CD20 antagonist that
ensured high global annual revenues in the $7.3bn– transiently depletes B cells, was developed within A/I
$16.5bn range for the recent years of 2014–16 only for severe, treatment-refractory RA, following
(Medtrack, April 2017). However, as the EU and US its original approval for hematological malignancies.
expiration dates have approached, development As biosimilar development for complex biologics
activity for biosimilar competition has heated up. comes of age, this review will profile the trial activity,
main sponsors, and approaches being taken to
The successful TNF antagonists were widely claim a share from these four hot A/I drugs in global
developed as therapies for some of the most markets.
prevalent A/I diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis
Figure 1: Trial counts for Phase I–III trials of biosimilars in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, by
start year
2011
2012
adalimumab
2013
Start Date (Year)
etanercept
infliximab
2014
rituximab
2015
2016
2017
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Trial counts
Note: Trial counts for 2017 reflect the partial year and include activity as of April 14, 2017; Innovator drugs: adalimumab (Humira),
etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), rituximab (Rituxan).
Figure 2: Trial counts of biosimilars programs in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, by start year and phase
I
2011
I/II
III
I
I/II
2012
II
III
adalimumab
I etanercept
2013
III
infliximab
I
""
2014
I/II rituximab
III
2015
I
III
I
I/II
2016
II
III
2017
I
III
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Trial counts
Note: Trial counts for 2017 reflect the partial year and include activity as of April 14, 2017; Innovator drugs: adalimumab (Humira),
etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), rituximab (Rituxan).
Source: Trialtrove®, April 2017
Figure 3: Sponsors of Phase III biosimilars trials in autoimmune and inflammation diseases, by location
Boehringer Ingelheim
Biocad Biotech
Novartis/Sandoz
Amgen Global
Coherus Global (non-US)
Celltrion
Europe; US
Samsung Bioepis
Europe
Merck KGaA
Sponsor
US
Pfizer
East Europe
Nichi-Iko
Oncobiologics India; Russia
Note: Sponsor set limited to companies that have at least one trial with
locations beyond a single country or small region. Source: Trialtrove®, April 2017
Nichi-Iko Mabion SA
Infliximab Rituximab
(Remicade) (Rituxan)
3 FDA (2017) Considerations in Demonstrating Interchangeability With a Reference Product Guidance for Industry (Draft Guidance). Available from:
https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM537135.pdf [Accessed May 10, 2017].
Amgen Approved (EU, US) RA; Ps Yes (RA EXT; Ps) US (RA), EU (Ps) Global
Abbreviations used in Table: RA=rheumatoid arthritis; Ps=psoriasis; CD=Crohn’s disease; EXT=Extension study; N/R=Not Relevant
Innovator drugs: adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), rituximab (Rituxan).
Figure 5: Disease indications for multinational Phase III trials of biosimilar TNF antagonists, by innovator
drug and sponsor
Boehringer Ingelheim
Novartis/Sandoz
Amgen
Coherus
Samsung Bioepis
adalimumab
Pfizer
Oncobiologics
Merck KGaA
FujiFilm Kyowa Kirin
Momenta/Shire
Rheumatoid arthritis
Biocon/Mylan Psoriasis
Novartis/Sandoz Crohn’s disease
etanercept
Coherus
Samsung Bioepis
YL Biologics
Amgen
infliximab
Celltrion
Samsung Bioepis
Pfizer
Nichi-Iko
0 1 2 3 4
Trial counts
Innovator drug: adalimumab (Humira), etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade). Source: Trialtrove®, April 2017
Table 2: Average enrollment periods and disease prevalence for autoimmune and inflammation indications
Another factor to consider is the attractiveness biosimilars programs. ASp has an intermediate
of the drug for each indication. Datamonitor prevalence, but long enrollment periods, factors
Healthcare’s product analysis tools provide a that would, likewise, render it less attractive than
composite clinical attractiveness score across the Ps as an indication for Phase III studies. Although
US, Japan, and five major EU markets. Table 3 shows infliximab is highly attractive for CD and UC
a comparison across the approved indications, treatment, the lower prevalence of these diseases,
where the higher numbers (and darker colors) and the longer enrollment periods for Phase III
reflect the greater attractiveness of that drug within studies, might play a role in sponsors’ selections of
the indication. Both RA and PsA generally have the RA instead. The choice of disease for the running
highest attractiveness values for all innovators; of efficacy trials likely depends on many factors,
however, the low prevalence of PsA, and its relatively going beyond the most “sensitive population” for
slow enrollment rates, likely favor RA as a disease equivalence to include consideration of enrollment
of choice for Phase III studies. Adalimumab is rates for each disease, disease prevalence in target
substantially more attractive for Ps than either markets, and the relative attractiveness of the
etanercept or infliximab, potentially explaining the innovator drug for each indication.
disease’s more frequent choice within adalimumab
Conclusions
Several A/I blockbuster biologics have lost patent This approach was commonly used to demonstrate
protection in recent years, providing opportunities both equivalence, and, with the proper choice of
for biosimilars to step into a lucrative therapeutic innovator source, interchangeability of the biosimilar
space. The biosimilars programs that have been to the innovator drug. Some, but not all, switching
initiated during the past six-and-a-half years are studies evaluated both EU- and US-sourced
sponsored by a multitude of companies, large and innovators, which is an important element for
small, and five biosimilars have gained approvals regulatory considerations, particularly when trials
during this time. Biosimilars specialists and joint were not run globally and are filing in the US.
ventures have thrived, including Celltrion and
Samsung Bioepis, who sponsored the first-to-market Some programs have dropped away during this
biosimilars for infliximab, rituximab, and etanercept. time, and there are some sponsors, including
Large pharma companies Amgen and Novartis/ Merck KGaA, who are exiting the highly competitive
Sandoz were the next to gain approvals in the major biosimilars arena. Of special note are the rituximab
markets, and many other biosimilars are now in programs by Teva, Samsung Bioepis, and Boehringer
late-stage development. Ingelheim that terminated for undisclosed – or
“business” – reasons. Samsung Bioepis’s SAIT101 is
This review noted how specific programs use the only version currently still in active development,
geographic scope, and ran broader efficacy trials, licensed to Archigen Biotech, while Pfizer’s Phase III
which include more than one of the approved program has also stayed active, and is evaluating
diseases, to leverage broader market appeal. efficacy in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma rather than in
The choice of diseases for efficacy studies may RA. Generally, rituximab biosimilars have emerged
have included strategic considerations, such as as the most challenging to develop among these
enrollment rates and attractiveness of the innovator biologics; however, challenges abound for all
drug for specific indications. Perhaps most important biosimilars in a now crowded market and in an
is inclusion of a switching component in Phase III. evolving regulatory environment.
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