Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Biosimilar Adalimumab Injection with Innovator Adalimumab in Subjects with Active Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of biosimilar adalimumab injection manufactured by Enzene Biosciences Ltd. (biosimilar) with innovator adalimumab (iADA) in subjects with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: The prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study involved 192 subjects with active AS recruited at 20 centers across India. The subjects who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were randomized in a ratio of 2:1 (i.e., 125 subjects in the biosimilar adalimumab arm and 67 subjects in the iADA arm). The selected subjects were randomly assigned to receive either the biosimilar or iADA at a dose of 40 mg subcutaneously every other week for a total of 12 weeks. Efficacy assessment was done based on ASAS and BASDAI response criteria. Safety assessment was based on complete physical examination, adverse event (AE) monitoring, vital signs, electrocardiogram (ECG), anti-adalimumab antibody (ADA) assessment, and laboratory tests.

Results: A total of 192 patients were randomized into two groups: biosimilar adalimumab (n = 125) and iADA (n = 67). Baseline demographics, including mean age (32.6 vs 32.4 years) and BMI (23.5 vs 23.2 kg/m¹), were comparable between groups. At 12 weeks, ASAS 20/40/70 responses were achieved by 97.5, 94.1, and 68.9% in the biosimilar group and by 98.4, 96.7, and 77% in the iADA group. A total of 44 AEs were reported in 27 subjects (14.1%), with an AE rate of 0.264 per person in the biosimilar arm and 0.16 in the iADA arm. ADA positivity rates were statistically nonsignificant between groups (p = 0.3516). Pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed bioequivalence with comparable Cmax and AUC values.

Conclusion: The ASAS 20/40/70 response rates indicated the response to biosimilar at week 12 was similar to iADA. Both drugs had comparable safety and tolerability profiles. Trial registry name: The Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI), URL: http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=42640&EncHid=&userName=enzene Trial registration number: CTRI/2020/09/028070.