Biosimilars Clinical Trials | Amgen Biosimilars
CLEAR

Clinical Testing


Programs designed to promote quality

Our data packages provide further evidence of our strengths. Amgen generates robust and rigorous data on each of our biosimilar medicines. These data packages:1
  • Use sensitive endpoints
  • Ensure no clinically meaningful differences in:
    • Efficacy
    • Safety
    • Immunogenicity
These data are needed to demonstrate biosimilarity for regulatory approval for high quality biosimilars.

Analytical, nonclinical, and clinical data

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Biosimilar development process

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Biosimilar development process1,2
Once we have assessed the reference drug and established its critical quality attributes (CQAs), we design a manufacturing process for the biosimilar. Then, over several years of testing, we collect data needed to prove biosimilarity and obtain approval.
  • A comprehensive comparison of the quality attributes of the biosimilar molecule with the reference product using state-of-the-art methods supports that the products are biosimilar on a structural and functional level.1,2
  • Even with robust analytical data, the biosimilar can be approved only with additional nonclinical and clinical data.1

Biosimilar development1,3

Demonstrate no clinically meaningful differences in safety and effectiveness in one or more appropriate conditions of use for which the reference product is licensed.

Reference product development3
Demonstrate safety and effectiveness in each condition of use with adequate, well-controlled, substantial evidence for a new product.

Totality of evidence determines similarity

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Proven biosimilarity requires proven science

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Proven biosimilarity requires proven science1,4,5
Together, the above data make up the totality of evidence which is used to assess the level of biosimilarity.1

Clinical data

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Biosimilars are not generics

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Biosimilars are not generics

Differences between generics and biosimilars:

  • A generic drug, by definition, is an exact copy of its reference medicine.3
  • A generic must have the same chemical structure as its reference product and takes an average of 3-5 years to develop. Each biosimilar requires additional evidence beyond that needed for a generic to prove similarity, and takes an average of 8-10 years to develop.3-5
  • Whereas generics require approximately 50 quality assurance tests as part of the manufacturing process, biologics, including biosimilars, are complex and can require approximately 250 tests to ensure potency, purity, and quality.6
  • Unlike a generic, a biosimilar will not be identical to its reference product.3
  • Biosimilars are "highly similar" with no clinically meaningful differences to—but not identical copies of—their reference biologic.3
Clinical requirements for biosimilar development differ by regulatory agency. In general, PK similarity and comparative clinical studies are required. Dose-ranging or -finding studies are not typically required because the reference product’s dosing has already been established.1,8

Extrapolation

Regulatory agencies review the totality of evidence to determine whether the biosimilar can be approved for some or all of the indications of the reference product.1

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Extrapolation of indications

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Regulatory guidance description of the requirements for extrapolation

References: 1. US Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for industry: scientific considerations in demonstrating biosimilarity to a reference product. www.fda.gov/downloads/drugs/guidances/ucm291128.pdf. Accessed October 29, 2019. 2. Conner J, Wuchterl D, Lopez M, et al. The biomanufacturing of biotechnology products. In: Shimasaki C, ed. Biotechnology Entrepreneurship: Starting, Managing, and Leading Biotech Companies. Waltham, MA: Academic Press; 2014:351-385. 3. Blauvelt A, Cohen AD, Puig L, Vender R, van der Walt J, Wu JJ. Biosimilars for psoriasis: preclinical analytical assessment to determine similarity. Br J Dermatol. 2016;174:282-286. 4. Kresse GB. Biosimilars—science, status and strategic perspective. Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2009;72:479-486. 5. European Medicines Agency. Guideline on similar biological medicinal products. www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Scientific_guideline/2014/10/ WC500176768.pdf. Accessed October 29, 2019. 6. US Federal Trade Commission. Emerging health care issues: follow-on biologic drug competition. www.ftc.gov/reports/emerging-healthcare-issues-follow-biologic-drug-competition-federal-trade-commission-report/. Accessed October 29, 2019. 7. Alten R, Cronstein BN. Clinical trial development for biosimilars. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2015;44:S2-S8. 8. European Medicines Agency. Biosimilars in the EU: information guide for healthcare professionals. www.ema.europa.edu/documents/leaflet/biosimilars-eu-information-guide-healthcare-professionals_en.pdf. Accessed October 29, 2019.

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