Celltrion receives positive CHMP opinion for three biosimilars in the European Union
- The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopts positive opinions for Celltrion’s three biosimilar candidates – Eydenzelt® (aflibercept), Stoboclo® and Osenvelt® (denosumab), and Avtozma® (tocilizumab)
- Celltrion is committed to expanding access to biologic treatments in skeletal-related disorders, ophthalmology, and immunology
FRIDAY 13 DECEMBER, 2024 - INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA – Celltrion today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted positive opinions and recommended marketing authorisations for three biosimilar candidates: Eydenzelt® (CT-P42, aflibercept), Stoboclo® and Osenvelt® (CT-P41, denosumab), and Avtozma® (CT-P47, tocilizumab). This significant milestone reflects the company’s leadership in biosimilar innovation and commitment to expanding access to biologic treatments across Europe.
Eydenzelt (40 mg/mL solution for injection in vial and pre-filled syringe), a biosimilar to Eylea® (aflibercept), is recommended for approval to treat multiple retinal disorders, including neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO, branch RVO or central RVO), diabetic macular edema (DME) and myopic choroidal neovascularisation (myopic CNV). In a Phase III study of Eydenzelt, the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity of Eydenzelt was compared to Eylea in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), demonstrating therapeutic equivalence to Eylea by meeting the predefined equivalence criteria.[i] If marketing authorisation is granted by the European Commission (EC), Eydenzelt would be one of the first-wave aflibercept biosimilars in Europe.
Stoboclo (60 mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe) and Osenvelt (120 mg solution for injection in vial) have been recommended for approval for all indications of the reference products Prolia® and Xgeva®, respectively. The positive CHMP opinion was based on the totality of evidence including results from a Phase III clinical trial in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO), and the results showed that CT-P41 had equivalent efficacy and pharmacodynamics (PD) to reference denosumab, with similar pharmacokinetics (PK) and comparable safety and immunogenicity profiles.[ii]
Avtozma, a biosimilar referencing RoActemra® (tocilizumab), has been recommended for all indications of its reference product, including moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), juvenile idiopathic polyarthritis (pJIA) and giant cell arteritis (GCA). The positive CHMP opinion for Avtozma was supported by a comprehensive data package and totality of evidence demonstrating Avtozma’s biosimilarity to RoActemra, with no clinically meaningful differences in efficacy, PK equivalence, safety or immunogenicity.[iii],[iv]
“With CHMP approvals for Eydenzelt, Avtozma, and Prolia/Xgeva biosimilars, Celltrion solidifies its leadership in the European biosimilar market, offering one of the most extensive antibody biosimilar portfolios. Our vertically integrated model ensures supply chain stability while addressing the specific challenges faced by European healthcare professionals and patients. These approvals underscore our commitment to supporting European healthcare systems by improving access to high-quality, affordable treatments,”
said Taehun Ha, Vice President and Head of Europe. “Our focus remains on empowering clinicians with the tools and solutions they need, as we aim to transition from a pioneer to a frontier leader in European healthcare.”
The CHMP’s recommendations will now be referred to the EC, which will decide whether to grant a marketing authorisation for Eydenzelt, Stoboclo and Osenvelt, and Avtozma. If marketing authorisations are granted, the three biosimilars will be made available across EU member states, furthering Celltrion’s commitment to delivering innovative and accessible healthcare solutions.
[i] Sebastian Wolf et al., Long-term efficacy and Safety of CT-P42 compared to Reference Aflibercept in Diabetic Macular Edema: 52-Week Results from the Phase 3 CT-P42 3.1. [EURETINA 2024, Abstract #CA24-2257-8397]. Available at: https://abstracts.euretina.org/2024/ca24-2257-8397/r/recxUD7DqYfFfjC7s [Last accessed December 2024].
[ii] Reginster JY et al. Efficacy and safety of candidate biosimilar CT-P41 versus reference denosumab: a double-blind, randomized, active-controlled, Phase 3 trial in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int. 2024 Nov;35(11):1919-1930. doi: 10.1007/s00198-024-07161-x. Epub 2024 Jul 23. PMID: 39042292; PMCID: PMC11499533. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39042292/ [Last accessed December 2024].
[iii] Smolen JS et al., Efficacy and safety of CT-P47 versus reference tocilizumab: 32-week results of a randomised, active-controlled, double-blind, phase III study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including 8 weeks of switching data from reference tocilizumab to CT-P47. RMD Open. 2024;10(4), e004514. Available at: https://rmdopen.bmj.com/content/10/4/e004514.abstract [Last accessed December 2024].
[iv] Gerd Burmester et al., Similar Efficacy, PK, Safety, and Immunogenicity of Tocilizumab Biosimilar (CT-P47) and Reference Tocilizumab in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: Week 52 Results from the Phase III Single Transition Study. Poster Presentation (abstract no. 0502). Presented at ACR 2024. Available at: https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/similar-efficacy-pk-safety-and-immunogenicity-of-tocilizumab-biosimilar-ct-p47-and-reference-tocilizumab-in-patients-with-moderate-to-severe-active-rheumatoid-arthritis-week-52-results-from-the/ [Last accessed December 2024].
