The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7502 p589
17 May 2008

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News summary

Biosimilar erythropoietin product now available

Epoetin zeta (Retacrit) — a biosimilar erythropoietin product — has been launched in the UK by Hospira this week. Registered through the European Medicines Agency’s biosimilar medicinal products procedures, epoetin zeta has demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to epoetin alfa (Eprex).

Data presented at a European Renal Association and European Dialysis and Transplant Association annual congress in Stockholm this week showed equivalent correction of haemoglobin levels between patients with renal anaemia receiving epoetin zeta and those given epoetin alfa.

A separate study of over 300 patients showed equivalent responses to maintenance therapy with the agents.