Avastin biosimilars making progress

Biosimilars of top-selling biological drugs are coming closer to the market, and such competition to Swiss pharma major Roche’s (ROG: SIX) blockbuster cancer drug Avastin (bevacizumab) – with 2015 sales of 6.68 billion Swiss francs ($7.67 billion) - is no exception.

Yesterday, US biotech major Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) and Allergan (NYSE: AGN) announced the submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the US Food and Drug Administration for ABP 215, a biosimilar candidate to Avastin. ABP 215 is the most advanced of the four oncology biosimilar medicines that Amgen and Allergan are collaborating on. The companies believe this submission is the first bevacizumab biosimilar application submitted to the FDA.

"ABP 215 is one of four oncology biosimilars in our pipeline, and today's BLA submission is an important milestone as Amgen seeks to expand our oncology portfolio," said Sean Harper, executive vice president of R&D at Amgen, adding: "ABP 215 has the potential to offer an additional high-quality therapeutic option for patients diagnosed with cancer, continuing Amgen's mission of providing patients with vital medicines."