The Majority Of Oncologists Will Begin Using Biosimilar Monoclonal Antibodies Within 12 Months Of Launch

EXTON, Pa., Oct. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- BioTrends Research Group, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, finds that surveyed U.S. and European oncologists will cautiously adopt biosimilar monoclonal antibodies initially; only a minority of oncologists say they will initially adopt biosimilar monoclonal antibodies in many or all of their patients. However, the majority of surveyed oncologists say that they expect to prescribe biosimilar trastuzumab, cetuximab, bevacizumab or rituximab within the first 12 months of launch, and only a minority does not expect to prescribe biosimilar monoclonal antibodies.

The Biosimilars Advisory Service report entitled Physician Perspectives on G-CSFs and Monoclonal Antibodies in Oncology provides analysis of survey results from over 180 U.S. and European oncologists across a wide range of solid tumor indications and hematological malignancies. The report also finds that development of new and improved originator biologic therapies intended to shift treatment practices can limit the extent of biosimilar penetration.

"In an era of severe cost constraints, setting appropriate biobetter prices is critical, especially when lower-cost biosimilar versions of the originator molecule are available," said BioTrends Research Group's Senior Director of Biosimilars Research Andrew Merron, Ph.D. "A successful biobetter should address clinically relevant unmet needs; for example, the majority of surveyed oncologists would prescribe a biobetter priced 5 percent more than the originator if it offered a modest improvement in efficacy and the same safety and dosing as the originator. While developing more efficacious agents is especially important in oncology indications, improving delivery is another opportunity. Roche recently gained European approval of subcutaneous Herceptin; if biosimilar trastuzumab costs 20 percent less than subcutaneous and intravenous Herceptin, the majority of surveyed French oncologists would prefer subcutaneous Herceptin in the maintenance setting. However, a greater proportion of them would choose the biosimilar than the intravenous brand."

Surveyed oncologists also revealed pivotal insights to understanding the current and future uptake of biosimilars, including their level of familiarity, concerns, drivers and constrainers of adoption, views on indication extrapolation, attitudes towards reimbursement and the clinical trial requirements for biosimilars.

The Biosimilars Advisory Service provides insight and analysis that is vital to successful business planning in the rapidly evolving biosimilars space. The service includes quarterly webinars detailing major developments, analyst insight addressing key market changes and opportunities, therapeutic area-specific primary research and forecasting modules.

About BioTrends Research Group
BioTrends Research Group provides syndicated and custom primary market research to pharmaceutical manufacturers competing in clinically evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets. For information on BioTrends publications and research capabilities, please visit www.bio-trends.com. BioTrends is a Decision Resources Group company.

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SOURCE BioTrends Research Group