Quality and Batch-to-Batch Consistency of Original and Biosimilar Epoetin Products

Liem Andhyk Halim, Vera Brinks, Wim Jiskoot, Stefan Romeijn, Rob Haselberg, Chris Burns, Meenu Wadhwa, Huub Schellekens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Comprehensive physicochemical characterization and biological assays are essential parts in assessing quality attributes of biologicals. Here, we compared the quality of different marketed recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin) products: originators, Eprex and NeoRecormon as well as 2 biosimilars, Retacrit and Binocrit. In addition, assessment of batch-to-batch variability was included by collecting 2 or more batches of each product. Common assays which included sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, high-performance size-exclusion chromatography, asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation, capillary zone electrophoresis, and potency testing were used. Of the tested products and among batches of single products, variations in epoetin content, isoform profiles, and potency were found. Ultimately, this study demonstrated the high quality of epoetin products with some degree of variation among products and batches, confirming the "similar but not identical" paradigm of biologicals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)542-550
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume105
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2016

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