The advent of biosimilars: challenges and risks

Swiss Med Wkly. 2014 Jul 1:144:w13980. doi: 10.4414/smw.2014.13980. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Biosimilars represent a new class of medicinal products that will have significant impact on clinical use. They are identical on an amino acid sequence level to existing reference biopharmaceutical products (originals). However, they may exhibit differences on a protein level. This paper provides a brief overview of biosimilar development and describes the risk and challenges that should be considered during the admission of biosimilars into the clinic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal* / chemistry
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal* / immunology
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / adverse effects
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / chemical synthesis*
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals / chemistry
  • Drug Discovery
  • Drug Substitution
  • Humans
  • Legislation, Drug
  • Protein Conformation*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals