Controversies in Establishing Biosimilarity: Extrapolation of Indications and Global Labeling Practices

• Published in: BioDrugs : clinical immunotherapeutics, biopharmaceuticals, and gene therapy Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Ebbers, Hans C., Chamberlain, Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-02-2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Antibodies; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals - standards; Cancer Research; Chemotherapy; Current Opinion; Decision Making; Drug and Narcotic Control; Drug Approval - legislation & jurisprudence; Drug Labeling - standards; Funding; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Internationality; Labeling; Marketing; Molecular Medicine; Oncology; Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmacotherapy; Regulatory agencies; Regulatory approval; Studies; Remicade; Chronic Kidney Disease; Reference Product; Insulin Glargine; Ankylose Spondylitis
• ISSN: 1173-8804; 1179-190X
• DOI: 10.1007/s40259-015-0154-1

The principles of establishing biosimilarity are to demonstrate structural and functional similarity to a reference product using the most discriminatory analytical methods. There is still considerable controversy on the scientific basis for extrapolation of indications for biosimilars, which has been strengthened by diverging global regulatory decision making. Closely related to the question of extrapolation is the question of how to communicate the evidence base for authorizing biosimilars to healthcare professionals. In this paper we will consider some of the discussions around extrapolation of indications and the implications of decisions of various regulatory agencies in the world regarding the authorization and labeling of biosimilars.