Dr. Leon Ferre on Reasons to Explore Biosimilars in Oncology

Roberto A. Leon Ferre, MD, oncologist, Mayo Clinic, discusses reasons to explore biosimilars in oncology.

Biosimilars should be explored as a potential alternative to biologic therapy, especially if these products can be marketed at a lower cost than the reference products, says Leon Ferre. Potential cost savings is the principle reason to pursue biosimilars, he adds.

If a biosimilar costs the same as the reference product, there is no incentive to use it in practice, explains Leon Ferre. If a biosimilar can display similar efficacy to a biologic product at a reduced cost, it should be embraced, he adds. Before biosimilars can be marketed, the patent for the originator biologic has to expire. Pending such expirations, insurance companies may decide to select biosimilars over biologics.

Recently, UnitedHealthcare announced that Amgen’s biosimilars—the trastuzumab (Herceptin) biosimilar trastuzumab-anns (Kanjinti) and a bevacizumab (Avastin) biosimilar bevacizumab-awwb (Mvasi)—will be preferred products for commercial, community, and Medicare Advantage plans, effective October 1, 2019.