Biosimilar insulin: the current landscape

Abstract

The first insulin biosimilar, Abasaglar, is now available in the UK and several more are in development. Biosimilars are manufactured copies of previously approved biopharmaceuticals no longer under patent protection. They are not identical versions of their reference product due to the complexity of their production and resultant protein product. The present article reviews the current biosimilar landscape including manufacture, regulatory requirements, safety and prescribing issues. Abasaglar is used to illustrate the process of biosimilar development and approval. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons.