Midyear Commentary on Trends in Drug Delivery and Clinical Translational Medicine

Before the 2009 Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act that enabled the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to create the 351(k) Biologic License Application-an abbreviated biosimilar approval process, FDA approved follow-on biomolecule products such as beta-interferon, glucagon, hyaluronidase, and somatropin (human growth hormone) under varying and evolving rules. With the 351(k) Biologic License Application biosimilar approval process in place, currently, there are 4 (licensed in 2015-2016) biosimilars available, namely Neupogen (filgrastim; $1 B/y), Humira (adalumumab; $14.2 B/y), Enbrel (etanercept; $8.7 B/y), and Remicade (infliximab; $6.5 B/y). With well-established product market capitalization of these and other top income producers-such as Rituxan (rituximab; $6.8 B/y), Herceptin (trastuzumab; $6.5 B/y), and Avastin (bevacizumab; $5.8 B/y), and a price differential of 15%-30% compared to branded products, there is an intense interest in development of biosimilars by established pharmaceutical companies. Currently, there are 160 biosimilar candidates in clinical studies, many of which are sponsored by large pharmaceutical companies known for product innovation. This trend will likely continue. Additional information on a biomolecule platform is presented in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Drug Delivery Clinical Trials Database (jpharmscidatabase.org). There are 44,789, 18,456, and 12,897 clinical trials registered to evaluate (1) drug delivery technology, (2) biomolecule platform, and (3) drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic interactions; representing 19%-60% increase over the last 3 years.