The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a positive opinion for marketing authorization of Sandoz’s infliximab, a proposed biosimilar to reference medicine infliximab.
The CHMP opinion recommends the proposed Sandoz biosimilar infliximab for the treatment of all indications of its reference medicine across gastroenterology, rheumatology and dermatology.
“Sandoz is proud to be at the forefront of diversifying the biologics treatment landscape by bringing biosimilar medicines to market for patients living with devastating autoimmune diseases,” said Richard Francis, CEO, Sandoz. “Today’s positive CHMP opinion marks a strong step forward in our efforts to accelerate patient access to biologics, and specifically infliximab, through our leading portfolio.”
Novartis division said that the opinion is based on a comprehensive data package that is expected to confirm the biosimilarity of infliximab to the reference medicine with analytical, preclinical and clinical data matching across quality, efficacy and safety. The clinical Phase III confirmatory study in rheumatoid arthritis (REFLECTIONS B537-02) met its primary endpoint, demonstrating equivalent efficacy of proposed Sandoz biosimilar infliximab to the reference medicine as measured by the American College of Rheumatology 20 (ACR20) response at Week 14.
The European Commission (EC) will review the CHMP’s positive opinion. The EC has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union (EU). If approved, the EC will grant a centralized marketing authorization that will be valid in the 28 member countries of the EU. Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as members of the European Economic Area (EEA), will take corresponding decisions based on the EC’s recommendation.