Biologics and Biosimilars

Biography

Biography: Marlene Llópiz-Avilés,

Abstract

Biotechnological medicines are medicinal products of biotechnological origin that contain proteins derived from DNA technology. The biotechnologies use living organisms such as plant and animal cells, bacteria, viruses and yeasts for the production of medicines that include such biological factors as cytokines, hormones, clotting factors, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, etc. Biosimilars are attempted copies of existing biological medicinal products or protein drugs. They are made with a different cell line and a different manufacturing and purification process.Biosimilars come about from the expiry of patent protection for many original medicines. They are considered as possible products at lower costs in comparison to modern therapies for patients and governments and are often more acceptable by patients. Less time and money is spent on clinical research for them to reach the market, as well as less pharmacovigilance. The experience with biosimilars to date is limited and long term safety and efficacy are unavailable. Immunogenicity is often unknown. Because of the above, there is need for appropriate regulations, the clear identification of potential problems and close pharmacovigilance.Latin America has become a new marketplace for the commercialization of biosimilars. However, the lack of regulations, requiring strict clinical trials and close pharmacovigilance has created Latin America an easy target for local and foreign companies to market biosimilars. As in all countries, significant clinical and non-clinical testing should be required for biosimilars to be marketed in Latin America. Substantial NDA-type dossiers should be submitted and post-market safety surveillance must be carried out. For that to occur, substantial manufacturing investments, and sales promotion and marketing are required to be set in place. Latin America can certainly become a safe marketplace for biosimilars only and  now that regulatory strategies are set in place, and clinical and non-clinical trials are conducted with detailed pharmacovigilance before and after their marketing.