Report documents opportunities, challenges for biosimilars
NEW YORK — A new report sheds light on some of the opportunities and challenges that exist in follow-on biologics, arguing that their opportunity to generate value depends on factors like the speed of development, clarity of regulation, ease of access and the roles of all stakeholders.
The report, by auditing and finance firm Grant Thornton, argues that regulatory challenges, clinical trials and efficacy tests continue to present a "huge investment outlay." Over the next four years, the report found, branded biologics representing $40 billion in sales will come off patent, not to mention the $20 billion worth of products already off patent.
The Generic Pharmaceutical Association, a trade group representing generic drug makers, said the report "underscores the need for swift and decisive action to make the promise of biosimilar medicines a reality for the millions of American patients in need of lifesaving biologic treatments."
"Even with the most conservative estimates, this report shows that biosimilars hold the potential to save $20 billion annually," GPhA president and CEO Ralph Neas said, calling for state legislatures to defeat what he called efforts by biotech drug makers Amgen and Genentech to limit future access to biosimilars.
A regulatory approval pathway for biosimilars was mandated in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Food and Drug Administration is currently in the process of developing regulations governing them.
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The report, by auditing and finance firm Grant Thornton, argues that regulatory challenges, clinical trials and efficacy tests continue to present a "huge investment outlay." Over the next four years, the report found, branded biologics representing $40 billion in sales will come off patent, not to mention the $20 billion worth of products already off patent.
The Generic Pharmaceutical Association, a trade group representing generic drug makers, said the report "underscores the need for swift and decisive action to make the promise of biosimilar medicines a reality for the millions of American patients in need of lifesaving biologic treatments."
"Even with the most conservative estimates, this report shows that biosimilars hold the potential to save $20 billion annually," GPhA president and CEO Ralph Neas said, calling for state legislatures to defeat what he called efforts by biotech drug makers Amgen and Genentech to limit future access to biosimilars.
A regulatory approval pathway for biosimilars was mandated in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Food and Drug Administration is currently in the process of developing regulations governing them.
Interested in this topic? Sign up for our weekly DSN Collaborative Care e-newsletter.