Pfizer joins crowded field with EU approval for Herceptin biosimilar

The industry behemoth announced on Tuesday that it had receieved European approval to launch its first ever oncology biosimilar therapy, Trazimera (trastuzumab), joining the ranks of Samsung Bioepis, Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) and Celltrion (KRX: 068270) in the crowded field of Herceptin copycats.
"The approval of Trazimera, Pfizer’s first oncology biosimilar, is another significant step 

in our quest to introduce more treatment options for patients in Europe"

The Genentech-developed breast cancer therapy was one of the top-five highest selling 
drugs in 2017, but has faced a sudden flux of biosimilar competition in 2018. All four 
copycats were launched in the first seven months of this calendar year.

"Trazimera has the potential to help many patients with HER2 overexpressing cancers, such as breast and gastric, which can correlate with poor outcomes and aggressive disease,” said Diana Lüftner, member of the Presidency of the German Society of Hematology and Medical Oncology. “Today’s approval will help enable greater access for patients and physicians across Europe, without compromising on quality, efficacy and safety.”
Richard Blackburn, global president of Pfizer Essential Health EMEA said: "The approval of Trazimera, Pfizer’s first oncology biosimilar, is another significant step in our quest to introduce more treatment options for patients in Europe. Pfizer is investing in developing and launching a range of biosimilars which can help to reduce healthcare costs and increase patient access to important medicines."
Source:https://www.thepharmaletter.com/article/pfizer-joins-crowded-field-with-eu-approval-for-herceptin-biosimilar

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