Dr. Slamon Discusses the Future of Biosimilars in Oncology

Dennis J. Slamon, MD, PhD, director, Clinical/Translational Research, Revlon/University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Women's Cancer Research Program, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, discusses the future of biosimilars in oncology.

In addition to the recent approvals of the bevacizumab (Avastin) biosimilar ABP-215 (bevacizumab-awwb; Mvasi), and the trastuzumab (Herceptin) biosimilar MYL-1401O (Ogivri; trastuzumab-dkst), several biosimilars are in development for the treatment of patients with cancer. This is a rapidly evolving field in protein therapeutics as well small molecules, Slamon adds. Biosimilar development is growing at such a pace that many pharmaceutical companies are creating biosimilar divisions.

Slamon says that although they will not take over the field of oncology, biosimilars are pushing innovation forward. Patent life should be respected, he notes, but when those patents expire, biosimilars will play a major role in the treatment of patients with cancer.