The current status of the biosimilars landscape in China

Abstract

Biosimilars have played a significant role in alleviating healthcare burdens and enhancing patient access to high-quality biologic-based pharmaceutical therapies. The World Health Organization (WHO), as well as various national governments and regulatory agencies, have established corresponding regulations and guidelines to encourage the development of biosimilars. China, as a populous nation with a substantial demand for biologic therapies, has made substantial investments in the research and development (R&D) of a number of biosimilars, making it the global leader in terms of the number of biosimilar varieties developed and the companies involved. This article summarizes the landscape of biosimilar R&D and registration in China, the development of regulatory science for biosimilars (including guidelines) in China, the challenges faced in biosimilar development in China, and a discussion of and suggestions for tailoring or even waiving comparative clinical efficacy studies.