Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs)

mAbs are a type of immunotherapy used to treat a number of medical conditions, including cancer.¹ Created in a laboratory, mAbs are designed to identify specific cell-surface antigens and preferentially target antigen-expressing cells over normal cells. Most mAbs target one protein, though some – known as ‘bispecifics’ – are able to target two; they are called ‘monoclonal’ as many clones of the same antibody are produced in one cycle.^{1, 2}

Once bound to the target cell, mAbs exert their therapeutic effect.¹ The development of mAbs has been revolutionary in treating some cancers – yet, for the most part, it has been a time-consuming and expensive endeavour. ^3,4 

Biosimilars are products based on biologic medicines that are already approved for use (known as a ‘reference product’) and have lost their patent. To be identified as a biosimilar, the medicine must be highly similar to the reference product and show no meaningful differences in terms of safety, efficacy and quality.⁵

The introduction of biosimilars has increased access to certain medicines and allowed for cost savings.⁵  Pfizer is proud to provide several mAb biosimilars within its portfolio and continues to invest in the development of additional biosimilars.
 

Other Oncology Biosimilars

Pfizer has more than 12 years of experience in producing biosimilars, with nine biosimilars having received regulatory approval in major markets. While the majority of biosimilars in development are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), a biosimilar can be any type of medicine that is related to a biologic medicine already approved for use.

In addition to mAbs, Pfizer’s biosimilar portfolio includes growth factors. Two of these medicines have been approved for use in Europe, both acting upon blood cell production:

- Retacrit® (epoetin zeta): Developed to treat anaemia, Retacrit works by mimicking erythropoietin and promoting red blood cell production.^7,8
 
- Nivestim® (filgrastim): A granulocyte colony-stimulating factor used to stimulate the production of white blood cells in patients with neutropenia.^9,10