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July Update — U.S. Generic Drug Tariffs: Implications For Pharma And Outsourcing
Mathini Ilancheran updates us on how delayed U.S. tariffs on generic drug imports could reshape supply, sourcing, and trial planning.
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In Bioprocessing, Trusted Data Is A Process Variable
As digital systems become increasingly interconnected, digital validation ensures systems generating and managing GxP data remain accurate, consistent, and trustworthy.
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Are Biopharma Companies Outsourcing Their Ability To Think?
Amid gaining immediate access to external manufacturing capabilities, sponsor companies can lose the foundational understanding required to govern that capability.
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Demonstrating Non-Inferiority Of BFPCs Vs. Traditional Air Monitoring
Demonstrating non-inferiority of bio-fluorescent particle counter (BFPC) technology to traditional active air-sampling methods is essential for implementation. Here's how to approach it.
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What Is Pre-Use, Post-Sterilization Integrity Testing (PUPSIT)?
Sterile filter integrity testing helps confirm performance, reduce risk, and support stronger processing controls as global regulatory guidance increasingly emphasizes PUPSIT where feasible.
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Filtration: The Overlooked Enabler Of Process Intensification
Process intensification depends on more than facility changes. Smarter choices can help improve yield, throughput, and sustainability, turning an often-overlooked step into a meaningful contributor.
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Process Intensification And Other Ways To Adapt To Changing Needs
As biologics manufacturing evolves, gain insight into why productivity depends on smarter investments, flexible production strategies, and supplier support that can address shifting modalities.
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Exploring Takeda's Template For Sustainable Steam Generation
Takeda designed a model for delivering steam at 11 bar and up to 184 degrees using natural refrigerant and waste heat at one of its largest production sites.
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Transforming Computer System Validation In The Life Sciences Industry
Regulators acknowledge how traditional CSV methods fail to meet modern demands for speed and flexibility. The scene is changing in favor of smarter, leaner validation.
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Analyzing And Managing CDMO Project Risks Using Causal Mechanism & Effect Analysis
Since every sponsor–CDMO relationship can have widely different scopes, requirements, and procedures, this article focuses on the basic principles for analyzing and managing the risks of not achieving the relationship’s objectives.
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A Sterilizing-Grade Membrane For Efficient Filtration Of Biologics
Higher flow rates and a smaller process footprint can create meaningful gains across sterile filtration steps. Explore the performance data and where efficiency improvements may be possible.
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An Open-Source Modeling Tool For Suspended Continuous Lyophilization
Building on a continuous suspended-vial lyophilization workflow, process developers can model critical variables before doing physical experiments.
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A Scalable Analytical Method For Quality-Driven AAV Characterization
AEX-HPLC has emerged as a robust, GMP-compatible analytical method for accurately characterizing AAV capsid composition, enabling consistent assessment of empty, partial, and full capsids to support product quality, process development, and regulatory readiness.
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Step Into The Future Of Chromatography Automation
As downstream processing grows more connected and complex, chromatography remains a key automation challenge. See how greater flexibility and stronger control are shaping more practical workflows.
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Process Intensification Through Downstream Connectivity
See how downstream steps can be linked into a coordinated workflow, with practical insight into automation, equipment integration, and process control for building a more efficient strategy.
ABOUT BIOSIMILAR MANUFACTURING
Biosimilars are considered to be low-cost substitutions for pricy, large-molecule biologics. However, biosimilars must meet the same quality, safety, and efficacy as their reference biologic. Manufacturing biosimilars requires a more complicated procedure than that of manufacturing small molecule generics. Companies manufacturing biosimilars are focused on creating a chemical structure that is as close as possible to that of the reference product. Failure rates and operational costs pose a challenge for those companies involved in manufacturing biosimilars compared to those manufacturing small molecule generics.
Small molecule generics are created using the same active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and, therefore, are chemically identical to that of the originator medicine. The manufacturing process for small molecules comprises only one-fifth of the total in-process tests required to meet Good Manufacturing Practice compared to that of biologic medicines (50 vs. 250 in-process tests). In fact, the manufacturing process for a large molecule is so complex, it cannot be duplicated by two different manufacturers, as the cells used in biologic medicines are unique to the company manufacturing each biologic.
Manufacturing a biologic consists of genetically modifying a cell, which becomes the basis for a cell line used for the production of the necessary protein for the biologic medicine. The protein is then separated from the cells and purified. Biosimilars are created from small alterations to the manufacturing process which creates a molecule that is not identical but closely resembles the reference product. While the differences in the biosimilar molecule might be slight, these changes in the manufacturing process of a biosimilar can affect the efficacy and safety of a biosimilar compared to the reference biologic. Over the past decade, the manufacturing process for proteins has become more standardized and the required technology has become increasingly accessible, leading to reductions in biosimilars production costs. As a result, a greater number of companies have begun manufacturing biosimilars, while reference brand manufacturers are setting their sights on bolstering pipelines and manufacturing biobetters to maintain market share for their soon-to-be-off-patent reference products.
BIOSIMILAR DEVELOPMENT NEWS
- Biocon Announces U.S. Commercial Launch Of Yesafili, A Biosimilar To Regeneron's Eylea 2 mg
- Fresenius Announces FDA Approval Of Rituximab Biosimilar For The U.S. Market
- Polpharma Biologics Announces FDA And EMA Acceptance For Review Of PB016 Vedolizumab Biosimilar Candidate
- Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Announces FDA Approval Of Garzulys (insulin aspart-fsan) Injection
- HSCA Applauds House Energy And Commerce Commitee And Senate HELP Commitee For Advancing Bipartisan Biosimilars Legislation That Will Help Increase Access To Safe Medications