FDA Drug Topics: Biosimilars: A Review of Scientific, Regulatory, and Clinical Considerations for Health Care Providers
June 20, 2023
Virtual online via Adobe Connect
FDA's Division of Drug Information in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) sponsors a series of educational webinars targeting the needs of health care professionals and students. The webinars cover a broad range of FDA drug regulation and medication safety topics. These focused webinars support FDA's mission of promoting and protecting public health through interaction and education to strengthen current and future partnerships and relationships with clinicians and researchers.
This webinar will discuss the science of biological products, including size, complexity, and variation. We will describe commonalities between biosimilars and reference biological products and differences in the approval pathways, with an in-depth explanation of the scientific and regulatory concepts for biosimilars and interchangeable biosimilars. In addition, we will discuss the use of these products, including labeling, terminology, and pharmacy substitution. To enhance understanding, we will review case studies to highlight the data that can support biosimilarity and interchangeability. This webinar will also demonstrate the functionality of the Purple Book Database and highlight resources available to health care providers about biosimilars.
- Biosimilar Curriculum Materials for Health Care Degree Programs: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/biosimilars/curriculum-materials-health-care-degree-programs-biosimilars
- Purple Book: Database of Licensed Biological Products: https://purplebooksearch.fda.gov/
- Welch, J, et al. “The Mannose in the Mirror: A Reflection on the Pharmacokinetic Impact of High Mannose Glycans of Monoclonal Antibodies in Biosimilar Development.” Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2023; May 113(5):1003-1010. doi: 10.1002/cpt.2783 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36322507/
- Cohen HP, et al. Switching Reference Medicines to Biosimilars: A Systematic Literature Review of Clinical Outcomes. Drugs. (2018); doi: 10.1007/s40265-018-0881-y
- Cohen, H.P., et al. “Switching from One Biosimilar to Another Biosimilar of the Same Reference Biologic: A Systematic Review of Studies” BioDrugs. 2022 Sep;38(5):625-637 doi: 10.1007/s40259-022-00546-6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35881304/
- Guidance for Industry: Clinical Immunogenicity Considerations for Biosimilar and Interchangeable Insulin Products. November 2019. https://www.fda.gov/media/133014/download
- Explain how to utilize FDA's Drug Information, medication safety resources, and regulatory guidances to improve delivery of patient care and optimize outcomes.
- Describe and inform health care providers of recent labeling, policy and regulatory changes which would impact prescribing and medication management to optimize patient care.
- Review the key definitions, nomenclature, labeling, issues of interchangeability, and similarities and differences between biosimilars and reference biologics.
- Describe how biologics differ from small molecules (size, complexity, inherent variation) and compare the biosimilar and generic approval pathways.
- Explain the statutory requirements and approval process for biosimilars and interchangeables.
- Discuss considerations for prescribing and dispensing biosimilars and interchangeable biosimilars.
- Summarize the new resources available for health care providers and faculty to learn more about biosimilar and interchangeable products and how to use the Purple Book Database of Licensed Biological Products.
This activity is intended for physicians, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, nurses, Certified Public Health (CPH), and physician assistants.
Lecture 1 June 20, 2023
Time | Topic | Speaker |
---|---|---|
1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT | Biosimilars: A Review of Scientific, Regulatory, and Clinical Considerations for Health Care Providers |
Nina Brahme, PhD, MPH Shelley Skibinski, PharmD Sarah Ikenberry, MA |


Physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, nurses, pharmacist techs, and those claiming non-physician CME: participants must attest to their attendance and complete the final activity evaluation via the CE Portal (ceportal.fda.gov). For multi-day activities, participants must attest to their attendance and complete the faculty evaluation each day. Final activity evaluations must be completed within two weeks after the activity - no exceptions.
Attention Pharmacists and Pharmacy Techs: Failure to provide your correct NABP AND Date of Birth information, in the required format, may result in the loss of credit for this activity. NABP profile number should be the 6-7 digit profile number assigned by the CPE Monitor and your birth date should be in the MMDD format (e.g. 0721) Do not provide your pharmacy license number. Please click the "My Account" tab and then navigate to "Edit Contact Information" to verify that your information is correct.
Attendees have 14 days from the last day of the activity to log in, complete the required evaluation(s) and attest to your attendance to claim credit.Physicians, physician assistants, and nurses may then view/print statement of credit. Pharmacists should log into the CPE monitor 8 weeks after the last session of the activity to obtain their CE credit.
Faculty
- Brahme, Nina, PhD, MPH, Senior Clinical Analyst, Food and Drug Administration - nothing to disclose
- Ikenberry, Sarah, MA, Senior Communication Advisor, CDER/OND/OTBB - nothing to disclose
- Skibinski, Shelley, PharmD, Project Coordinator, FDA/CDER/OND/OTBB - nothing to disclose
Planning Committee
- Burke, Kara, PharmD, Team Leader/Pharmacist, FDA/CDER/OCOMM/DDI - nothing to disclose
- Cao, Christian, MPAS, PA-C, Cross-Discipline Safety Advisor, FDA/CDER/OSE/OPE - nothing to disclose
- DeFronzo, Kimberly, RPh, MS, MBA, Consumer Safety Officer, FDA/CDER/OCOMM/DDI - nothing to disclose
- Kapoor, Rama, MD, Senior Physician, FDA - nothing to disclose
- Nguyen-Chu, Thanh Tam, PharmD, Pharmacist, FDA/CDER/OCOMM/DDI - nothing to disclose
- Paraoan, Dianne, MPH, BSN, RN, Associate Director for Regulatory Affairs, FDA/ CDER/ OMP - nothing to disclose
CE Consultation and Accreditation Team
- Littlefield, Jr, Kenneth P., Training Specialist, FDA/CDER/OEP/DLOD - nothing to disclose
- Bryant, Traci, M.A.T., Lead Training Specialist, FDA/CDER/OEP/DLOD - nothing to disclose
- Wood, Sara, Accreditation Program Administrator, CECAT, FDA/CDER/OEP/DLOD - nothing to disclose
All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.
Registration is complimentary, therefore refunds are not applicable.

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