"The approval of our first biosimilar by the
The EC approved AMGEVITA based on a comprehensive data package supporting biosimilarity to adalimumab based on analytical, pharmacokinetic and clinical data, including results from two Phase 3 studies conducted in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis patients. The Phase 3 studies each met their primary endpoint showing no clinically meaningful differences to adalimumab. Safety and immunogenicity of AMGEVITA were also comparable to adalimumab.
Approval from the EC grants a centralized marketing authorization with unified labeling in the 28 countries that are members of the EU.
AMGEVITA was approved in
About AMGEVITA™ (biosimilar adalimumab) in the EU
AMGEVITA is a biosimilar to adalimumab, an anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody. The active ingredient of AMGEVITA is an anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody that has the same amino acid sequence as, and is highly similar to, adalimumab. AMGEVITA will be delivered in prefilled syringe and autoinjector presentations to support dosing according to the approved dosage recommendations in each indication.
AMGEVITA, in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for:
AMGEVITA can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when continued treatment with methotrexate is inappropriate. AMGEVITA reduces the rate of progression of joint damage as measured by X-ray and improves physical function, when given in combination with methotrexate.
AMGEVITA, in combination with methotrexate, is indicated for the treatment of active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, in patients from the age of two years who have had an inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). AMGEVITA can be given as monotherapy in case of intolerance to methotrexate or when continued treatment with methotrexate is inappropriate. Adalimumab has not been studied in patients aged less than two years.
AMGEVITA is indicated for the treatment of active enthesitis-related arthritis in patients, six years of age and older, who have had an inadequate response to, or who are intolerant of, conventional therapy.
AMGEVITA is indicated for the treatment of adults with severe active ankylosing spondylitis who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy.
AMGEVITA is indicated for the treatment of adults with severe axial spondyloarthritis without radiographic evidence of AS but with objective signs of inflammation by elevated CRP and/or MRI, who have had an inadequate response to, or are intolerant to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
AMGEVITA is indicated for the treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis in adults when the response to previous disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy has been inadequate. AMGEVITA reduces the rate of progression of peripheral joint damage as measured by X-ray in patients with polyarticular symmetrical subtypes of the disease and improves physical function.
AMGEVITA is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy.
AMGEVITA is indicated for the treatment of severe chronic plaque psoriasis in children and adolescents from four years of age who have had an inadequate response to or are inappropriate candidates for topical therapy and phototherapies.
AMGEVITA is indicated for the treatment of active moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) (acne inversa) in adult patients with an inadequate response to conventional systemic HS therapy.
AMGEVITA is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease, in adult patients who have not responded despite a full and adequate course of therapy with a corticosteroid and/or an immunosuppressant; or who are intolerant to or have medical contraindications for such therapies.
AMGEVITA is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease in pediatric patients (from six years of age) who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy including primary nutrition therapy, a corticosteroid, and an immunomodulator, or who are intolerant to or have contraindications for such therapies.
AMGEVITA is indicated for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy including corticosteroids and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) or azathioprine (AZA), or who are intolerant to or have medical contraindications for such therapies.
AMGEVITA is indicated for the treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior and panuveitis in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to corticosteroids, in patients in need of corticosteroid-sparing, or in whom corticosteroid treatment is inappropriate.
AMGEVITA™ EU Important Safety Information
This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions.
AMGEVITA treatment should be initiated and supervised by specialist physicians experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions for which AMGEVITA is indicated. The most serious side effects that may occur during AMGEVITA treatment include infections such as sepsis or other opportunistic infections, tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis B reactivation (HBV) and other malignancies including leukemia, lymphoma and hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL). Other rare serious haematological, neurological and autoimmune reactions that may occur during AMGEVITA treatment include pancytopenia, aplastic anaemia, central and peripheral demyelinating events, lupus, lupus-related conditions and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The most common side effects are infections in the nose and throat, sinuses and upper respiratory tract, injection site reactions (redness, itching, bleeding, pain or swelling), headache and muscle and bone pain.
AMGEVITA is contraindicated in people with sensitivities to certain excipients (e.g., glacial acetic acid, sucrose, polysorbate 80, sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) and water for injections); in people with active tuberculosis or other severe infections (e.g., sepsis), and those with moderate to severe heart failure (NYHA class III/IV). Patients on AMGEVITA may receive concurrent vaccinations, except for live vaccines.
Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for full European prescribing information.
About AMJEVITA™ (adalimumab-atto) in the U.S.
AMJEVITA is a biosimilar to adalimumab, an anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody. The active ingredient of AMJEVITA is an anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody that has the same amino acid sequence as, and has been determined by
AMJEVITA is indicated, alone or in combination with methotrexate or other non-biologic DMARDs, for reducing signs and symptoms, inducing major clinical response, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.
AMJEVITA is indicated, alone or in combination with methotrexate, for reducing signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in patients 4 years of age and older.
AMJEVITA is indicated, alone or in combination with non-biologic DMARDs, for reducing signs and symptoms, inhibiting the progression of structural damage, and improving physical function in adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.
AMJEVITA is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.
AMJEVITA is indicated for reducing signs and symptoms and inducing and maintaining clinical remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy, and reducing signs and symptoms and inducing clinical remission in these patients if they have also lost response to or are intolerant to infliximab.
AMJEVITA is indicated for inducing and sustaining clinical remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response to immunosuppressants such as corticosteroids, azathioprine, or 6-mercaptopurine. The effectiveness of adalimumab products has not been established in patients who have lost response to or were intolerant to TNF blockers.
AMJEVITA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and when other systemic therapies are medically less appropriate. AMJEVITA should only be administered to patients who will be closely monitored and have regular follow-up visits with a physician.
AMJEVITA is currently not available commercially. This is not an offer for sale. The following information is derived from the approved label in the U.S.
AMJEVITA™ U.S. Important Safety Information
SERIOUS INFECTIONS
Patients treated with AMJEVITA™ are at increased risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. Most patients who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids.
Discontinue AMJEVITA if a patient develops a serious infection or sepsis.
Reported infections include:
Carefully consider the risks and benefits of treatment with AMJEVITA prior to initiating therapy in patients: 1. with chronic or recurrent infection, 2. who have been exposed to TB, 3. with a history of opportunistic infection, 4. who resided in or traveled in regions where mycoses are endemic, 5. with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection. Monitor patients closely for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with AMJEVITA, including the possible development of TB in patients who tested negative for latent TB infection prior to initiating therapy.
MALIGNANCY
Lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescent patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab products. Post-marketing cases of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL), a rare type of T-cell lymphoma, have been reported in patients treated with TNF blockers including adalimumab products. These cases have had a very aggressive disease course and have been fatal. The majority of reported TNF blocker cases have occurred in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and the majority were in adolescent and young adult males. Almost all of these patients had received treatment with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine concomitantly with a TNF blocker at or prior to diagnosis. It is uncertain whether the occurrence of HSTCL is related to use of a TNF blocker or a TNF blocker in combination with these other immunosuppressants.
HYPERSENSITIVITY
Anaphylaxis and angioneurotic edema have been reported following administration of adalimumab products. If a serious allergic reaction occurs, stop AMJEVITA and institute appropriate therapy.
HEPATITIS B VIRUS REACTIVATION
Use of TNF blockers, including AMJEVITA, may increase the risk of reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients who are chronic carriers. Some cases have been fatal. Evaluate patients at risk for HBV infection for prior evidence of HBV infection before initiating TNF blocker therapy. Exercise caution in patients who are carriers of HBV and monitor them during and after AMJEVITA treatment. Discontinue AMJEVITA and begin antiviral therapy in patients who develop HBV reactivation. Exercise caution when resuming AMJEVITA after HBV treatment.
NEUROLOGIC REACTIONS
TNF blockers, including adalimumab products, have been associated with rare cases of new onset or exacerbation of central nervous system and peripheral demyelinating diseases, including multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Exercise caution when considering AMJEVITA for patients with these disorders; discontinuation of AMJEVITA should be considered if any of these disorders develop.
HEMATOLOGICAL REACTIONS
Rare reports of pancytopenia, including aplastic anemia, have been reported with TNF blockers. Medically significant cytopenia has been infrequently reported with adalimumab products. Consider stopping AMJEVITA if significant hematologic abnormalities occur.
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
Worsening and new onset congestive heart failure (CHF) has been reported with TNF blockers. Cases of worsening CHF have been observed with adalimumab products; exercise caution and monitor carefully.
AUTOIMMUNITY
Treatment with adalimumab products may result in the formation of autoantibodies and, rarely, in development of a lupus-like syndrome. Discontinue treatment if symptoms of a lupus-like syndrome develop.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Patients on AMJEVITA should not receive live vaccines. Pediatric patients, if possible, should be brought up to date with all immunizations before initiating AMJEVITA therapy. Adalimumab is actively transferred across the placenta during the third trimester of pregnancy and may affect immune response in the in utero exposed infant. The safety of administering live or live-attenuated vaccines in infants exposed to adalimumab products in utero is unknown. Risks and benefits should be considered prior to vaccinating (live or live-attenuated) exposed infants.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most common adverse reactions in adalimumab clinical trials (>10%) were: infections (e.g., upper respiratory, sinusitis), injection site reactions, headache, and rash.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.
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1 Biosimilar adalimumab has also been approved in the EU as SOLYMBIC under a duplicate marketing authorization.
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