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Assessing Global Standards for Biologic Medicines. Richard Dolinar , MD Endocrinologist Chairman of the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines Presented at the Center for Business Intelligence 8th Annual Biosimilars Summit March 5 , 2013. Presentation Overview.
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Assessing Global Standards for Biologic Medicines Richard Dolinar, MD Endocrinologist Chairman of the Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines Presented at the Center for Business Intelligence 8th AnnualBiosimilarsSummit March 5 , 2013
Global Quality Standards for Biologics in Regulated and Unregulated Markets - Why is this important? • Patient safety must ALWAYS be placed first. • Biosimilars must be introduced without incident, or their adoption will be undermined. • Physicians require confidence in the medication they prescribe. • Manufacturers should be held accountable for their products. • In this global market, there should be no “EASY point of approval”, such as in an emerging market with lower standards, that can jeopardize the above principles.
Potential Areas For Creation of Global Standards Approval Processes: Should biosimilars have to undergo clinical trials? BiosimilarNaming: Should biosimilars have unique names? Biosimilar Substitution: When? By whom?
Approval Pathways for Biosimilars…Currently No Global Standards. • 2003 EU Biosimilar Pathway • 2009 Canadian Biosimilar Pathway • US in the process • Colombia recently proposed a 3-tier approval pathway: • full dossier, • abbreviated dossier with comparability/biosimilary demonstrated to an approved product, • approved in another jurisdiction w/ similar standards (which are unspecified) • Brazil similar pathway to (3), limited to certain jurisdictions. • Thailand has a substantial spike in Pure Red Cell Aplasia, > 30 RBC stimulating products. Which is the culprit?
Global Standards on Naming Being Discussed WHO Guidance on Naming: WHO has been the leader on "developing, establishing and promoting international standards with respect to biological, pharmaceutical and similar products". International Nonproprietary Names (INN) facilitate the identification of pharmaceutical substances or active pharmaceutical ingredients. WHO will be discussing the need for unique names in biosimilars at the 56th Consultation on INNs for Pharmaceutical Substances (April 15-17, 2013).
ASBM/FDLI Whitepaper on Biosimilar Naming, Nov. 2012 All biologics should receive distinct non-proprietary names. United States Pharmacopeia (USP) should work with FDA to adapt the product monograph system to accommodate the unique attributes of structurally-related, but distinct, biologic medicines. The non-proprietary name of a reference product and product/s biosimilar to it should have a common, shared root but have distinct and differentiating suffixes. Products designated interchangeable should have a distinct name from the reference product for which they are considered interchangeable to facilitate accurate attribution of adverse events.
How is substitution of biosimilars addressed? • US has “interchangeability” and as a result the FDA has laid out in its draft guidance substitution guidelines that differ from those of the EMA, Health Canada, and the World Health Organization, particularly in regard to the role played by the physician. • 15 U.S. States are currently considering legislation which regulates biosimilarsubstitution: Virginia, Indiana, Texas, Florida, North Dakota, Washington, Colorado, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Oregon, Arizona, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah, Illinois.
The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines • Founded 2010 • Advisory Board consists of PATIENTSPHYSICIANSRESEARCHERSPHARMACISTS • The Four Pillars: • PRIORITIZING PATIENT SAFETY over cost savings, speed, or politics • LEVERAGING WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED the EU’s science-based approach • PROMOTING PHARMACOVIGILANCE: holding manufacturers accountable for the quality of their product • KEEPING DOCTORS RELEVANT: Physicians and their patients should determine treatment, not a third party
ASBM:Engaging Stakeholders to Shape the US Biosimilars Pathway • APRIL 16: ASBM submits Formal Comments to US FDA • MAY 11: 9 ASBMmembers and ASBM Chairman testify at FDA Hearing • JUNE: ASBM Presented at Toronto Patient Experts Conference • AUGUST: 380-Physician Survey conducted on Biosimilar Naming and Interchangability • SEPTEMBER: Presented at 3 Conferences in US including FDA/DIA Conference
One Example: Immunogenicity FDA released draft guidance February 2013, saying: “Immune responses to therapeutic protein products may pose problems for both patient safety and productefficacy. [Immunological adverse events] have caused sponsors to terminate the development of therapeutic protein products or limited the use of what might otherwise be effective therapies.” -FDA Center for Drug Evaluationand Research, in-PharmaTechnologist.com, 2/25/2013
Biologic vs. Chemical Medicines: Differences SIZE: significantly larger, more complex STRUCTURE: Highly complex, minor manufacturing differences can cause adverse effects DRIFT: biologics can change with time STABILITY: Biologic medicines are sensitive to light, heat, denaturing or degradation
Key differences between chemical drugs and biologics SIZE • HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE • 191 amino acids • ~22,000 daltons • 3091 atoms • lgL1 ANTIBODY • >1000 amino acids • ~150,000 daltons • >20,000 atoms • ASPIRIN • ~180 daltons • 21 atoms Source: Genentech
Molecular Comparison: Aspirin vs. Biologic Monoclonal Antibody Source: New England Journal of Medicines, “Developing the Nation’s Biosimilars Program,” August 4, 2011
A Highly Complex Manufacturing Process IgG1 antibody >1000 amino acids ~150,000 daltons >20,000 atoms
Degree of Manufacturing Change The degree of change determines the level of risk and thus the data required to demonstrate the product remains equally safe and effective: Higher risk / less common changes = Maximal Data Required (Clinical Testing, Analytical and Process) Low risk and common change = Minimal data required Supplier for tubing changed Relocate equipment within same facility New cell line New process* Manufacturing scaled up to production level Relocate to new facility *It is not scientifically possible to exactly copy biologic medicines at this time.
Small Differences Source: Bilao LLC, 2008
Small Differences = Large Impact Progesterone Testosterone Estradiol Source: Bilao LLC, 2008
What are Biosimilars? • Biosimilars are often referred to as “follow-on biologics” or “follow-on proteins”. • Biosimilars are copies of existing trade-name biological products whose patents have expired. • While “highly similar” biosimilars are not “identical” to the reference product. • They do not utilize the same living cell line, production process, or raw material as the innovator drug. SIMILAR, BUT NOT IDENTICAL ≠ INNOVATOR MEDICINE EU-APPROVED BIOSIMILAR
Creating a US Biosimilars Pathway • 1984 – Hatch-Waxman Act • March 23, 2010 – Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act • Biologics Price, Competition, and Innovation Act (BPCIA) • November 2010 – FDA began consulting with various individuals and groups • February 9, 2012 – FDA draft guidance issued • February 27, 2012 – ASBM hosts Capitol Hill Biosimilars Forum