Patient Access To Cost-Effective Treatments Increased With Launch Of New Biosimilar In Canada

First-ever Pegfilgrastim Biosimilar Approved by Health Canada Launches Across the Country

Toronto, ON /CNW/ - Apobiologix, a division of Apotex Inc., yesterday launched the first biosimilar pegfilgrastim approved by Health Canada. The company, focused on the development of biosimilars for global markets, launched Lapelga™ nationally. 

Health Canada's approval of Lapelga was, in fact, the first-ever pegfilgrastim biosimilar approved in any highly regulated market worldwide. Now with the launch of Lapelga, Apobiologix is the only company to offer a portfolio of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) biosimilars in Canada. This portfolio offers a potential savings of more than $42 million per year.

Apobiologix successfully launched its first product in Canada, Grastofil® (filgrastim), in March, 2016, which is now the leading filgrastim brand in Canada.

"With the availability of both Lapelga and Grastofil in Canada, patients have even better access to affordable, innovative and effective biological drugs, while delivering significant cost savings to the healthcare system," said Dr. Klaus Martin, President, Apobiologix.

Biosimilars are designed to be similar to an existing biologic drug. Pegfilgrastim encourages the body's production of white blood cells which helps to fight infection in patients undergoing certain cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation.

According to Evaluate Pharma® World Preview 2018, Outlook to 2024, the global biologics market is expected to reach $383 billion in 2024.