Biosimilars in Sub-Saharan Africa – are there opportunities for new business growth?

Biologics, including monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized the treatment of challenging diseases such as cancer, inflammation and auto-immune disorders. It is notable that the WHO added two monoclonal antibodies to its essential medicines list in 2015; trastuzumab (Herceptin, Roche) and rituximab (Rituxan/MabThera, Roche) along with bevacizumab (Avastin, Roche). This is good news for patients in need of innovative anti-cancer therapies. Sadly, these medicines are not available to many patients in countries where re-imbursement for costly drugs is insufficient. Patients in need of economical alternatives are hoping that biosimilars of these products will open the door to access to these treatments previously out of their economic reach.

Europe leads the world in approval of biosimilars products. The first biosimilar of recombinant human growth hormone Omintorope (Sandoz) was approved in Europe 2006. Since then, over 40 products have been approved in Europe and biosimilars are becoming an integrated part of the European healthcare system.

The story is different in other countries around the world – especially emerging markets where patient medical and economic need is greatest. Slow traction of biosimilars in these regions can be attributed to several factors including the absence of a proactive, assertive approach to establishing an infrastructure for biologic products, a strong regulatory framework that assures expedited approval of safe and efficacious biosimilars and market structures that give them a competitive edge.

In this webinar, you will: