
Biologic Therapy
Two types of biologic therapy have been licensed to treat axial SpA (AS) by NICE. Both work by reducing inflammation produced by the body
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Discover the role of biosimilars in the treatment of axial SpA (AS)
This information is for anyone with axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) including people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
They can be developed by manufacturers once the original patent for the product has expired.
They are called “biosimilar” because the molecular structures are so complex that it is not possible to produce an absolutely identical drug to the original – referred to as the “originator”. With smaller drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, it is common for different manufacturers to produce identical “copies” of the originator drug, known as “generic” drugs.
Biosimilar medicines are developed in order to provide alternative products, usually at a lower cost than the original biological medicine.
Inflectra and Remsima have been approved as biosimilar versions of infliximab and Benepali and Erelzi have been approved as a biosimilar of etanercept (Enbrel).
In autumn 2018 biosimilar adalimumab (Humira) will be launched.
Once approved, a biosimilar medicine is recognised to be a highly similar version of a biological medicine and should have comparable quality, safety and effectiveness.
Biosimilars introduced into the UK market first have to be approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). They go through a regulatory process which requires comparability studies that demonstrate equivalence to the originator product in terms of quality, efficacy and safety.
We know that since of launch of biosimilars, a lot of rheumatology departments have taken the decision to move people from originator drugs to the biosimilar. This is because the biosimilar is less expensive. If you have been contacted by your rheumatology department about switching we would expect:
Two types of biologic therapy have been licensed to treat axial SpA (AS) by NICE. Both work by reducing inflammation produced by the body
Read moreDiscover axial SpA (AS) services in your area
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