Pfizer receives OK for oncology biosimilar Zirabev in Europe

US pharma giant Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) says that the European Commission (EC) has approved Zirabev (bevacizumab), a biosimilar to Swiss pharma major Roche (ROG: SIX) Avastin, for the treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum, metastatic breast cancer, unresectable advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), advanced and/or metastatic renal cell cancer and persistent, recurrent or metastatic carcinoma of the cervix.

Avastin is one of Roche’s top selling drugs, generating sales of around $6.85 billion in 2018. Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) and Ireland-incorporated Allergan (NYSE: AGN) bevacizumab, ABP 215, was approved last year under the brand name Mvasi in both the USA and the European Union as a biosimilar to the reference product, though the biosimilar has not yet launched in either territory, as the Avastin patent is not due to expire until 2022.

“Pfizer is dedicated to increasing access to biosimilars for patients suffering from serious illnesses and helping create a more sustainable healthcare system,” said Dr Andreas Penk, regional president, oncology international developed markets at Pfizer. “We are proud that Zirabev in was approved today as our second oncology biosimilar in Europe. This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to biosimilars as we continue to bring high-quality medicines to market that may help generate cost savings for cancer care,” he added.