On July 13, 2017 Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Allergan plc. (NYSE:AGN) reported that the Companies will discuss data supporting the ABP 215 Biologics License Application (BLA) with the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Press release, Amgen, JUL 13, 2017, View Source [SID1234519796]). ABP 215 is a biosimilar candidate to Avastin (bevacizumab) and is the first bevacizumab biosimilar candidate to be considered by the FDA. Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! "Amgen has worked diligently to apply our more than 35 years of experience in biotechnology to the development of biosimilars," said Sean E. Harper, M.D., executive vice president of Research and Development at Amgen. "Today, we’re looking forward to discussing the comprehensive data package for ABP 215, Amgen’s first prospective oncologic biosimilar, with the FDA advisory committee."
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During the meeting, Amgen will present a comprehensive data package including the analytical, pharmacokinetic and clinical data, which demonstrate ABP 215 and bevacizumab are highly similar, with no clinically meaningful differences in terms of the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity between the products. Clinical studies included results from a Phase 3 study in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which met its primary endpoint of showing clinical equivalence to bevacizumab.
ABP 215 is a biosimilar candidate to bevacizumab, a recombinant immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inhibits the interaction of VEGF with its receptors, VEGF receptor-1 and VEGF receptor-2, thus inhibiting establishment of new blood vessels necessary for the maintenance and growth of solid tumors.
"ABP 215 is the first product of our collaboration with Amgen to reach this important milestone," said David Nicholson, chief R&D officer at Allergan. "If approved, ABP 215 has the potential to provide another high quality treatment option for cancer patients and pave the way for additional high quality oncology biosimilars from Allergan and Amgen."
The FDA is not bound by the Committee’s recommendation but does takes its advice into consideration when considering the approval of a new therapeutic. The FDA has set a Biosimilar User Fee Act (BsUFA) target action date of Sept. 14, 2017, for ABP 215.
Amgen and Allergan are collaborating on the development and commercialization of four oncology biosimilars. Amgen has a total of 10 biosimilars in its portfolio, one which has been approved by the FDA.
About ABP 215
ABP 215 is being developed as a biosimilar to bevacizumab, which is approved in the U.S., EU and other regions for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC as well as metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum; metastatic renal cell carcinoma; and other region-specific indications. On Dec. 2, 2016, Amgen and Allergan also submitted a Marketing Authorization Application to the European Medicines Agency for ABP 215.
About the Amgen and Allergan Collaboration
In December 2011, Amgen and Allergan plc. (then Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) formed a collaboration to develop and commercialize, on a worldwide basis, four oncology antibody biosimilar medicines. This collaboration reflects the shared belief that the development and commercialization of biosimilar products will not follow a pure brand or generic model, and will require significant expertise, infrastructure, and investment to ensure safe, reliably supplied therapies for patients. Under the terms of the agreement, Amgen will assume primary responsibility for developing, manufacturing and initially commercializing the oncology antibody products.
About Amgen Biosimilars
Amgen Biosimilars is committed to building upon Amgen’s experience in the development and manufacturing of innovative human therapeutics to expand Amgen’s reach to patients with serious illnesses. Biosimilars will help to maintain Amgen’s commitment to connect patients with vital medicines, and Amgen is well positioned to leverage its more than 35 years of experience in biotechnology to create high quality biosimilars and reliably supply them to patients worldwide.
For more information, visit www.amgenbiosimilars.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgenbiosim.