| Name/Company | Approval Dates and Comments |
| Brodalumab for SC injection Lumicef® Kyowa Hakko Kirin | The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in Japan approved this fully human anti-interleukin (IL)-17 receptor A antibody in July 2016 as a second-line treatment for psoriasis vulgaris, psoriatic arthritis, pustular psoriasis, and psoriatic erythroderma. Brodalumab binds with high affinity to IL-17 receptor A, thereby inhibiting several pro-inflammatory cytokines from the IL-17 family, which are thought to contribute to the pathophysiology associated with psoriasis. |
| Etanercept-szzs for SC injection Erelzi™ Sandoz Inc., a Novartis division | In August 2016, the US FDA approved Erelzi™ (etanercept-szzs), a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker biosimilar to Enbrel® (etanercept, Amgen Inc.) for all indications included in the reference product label, including moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis, active ankylosing spondylitis, and chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. |
| Biosimilar of etanercept for SC injection Brenzys™ Samsung Bioepis Merck Canada | Health Canada approved Brenzys™ (also known as SB4), a biosimilar referencing Enbrel® (etanercept, Amgen Inc.) in August 2016. This is the first anti-TNF biosimilar available in Canada. Although the originator biological Enbrel® is indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid, juvenile rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis, Brenzys™ has only been approved for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Prior to receiving approval in Canada, the SB4 etanercept biosimilar received regulatory approvals from Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) as Brenzys™ in September 2015, the European Commission (EC) as Benepali® in January 2016, and Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as Brenzys™ in July 2016. |
| Adalimumab-atto for SC injection Amjevita™ Amgen Inc. | In September 2016 the FDA approved the first adalimumab biosimilar Amjevita™, an anti-TNFa monoclonal antibody biosimilar to Humira® (AbbVie Inc.). Amjevita™ is indicated to treat seven inflammatory diseases, including psoriatic arthritis, moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis, moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, moderate to severe polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, adult moderate to severe Crohn’s disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Treatment is delivered in prefilled syringe and autoinjector doses. |
| Propranolol hydrochloride oral solution 3.75 mg/ml Hemangiol® Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique | Health Canada approved the beta-adrenergic blocker propranolol hydrochloride in September 2016 for the treatment of proliferating infantile hemangioma requiring systemic therapy: life- or functionthreatening hemangioma, ulcerated hemangioma with pain and/or lack of response to simple wound care measures, and hemangioma with a risk of permanent scarring or disfigurement. Treatment should be initiated in infants aged 5 weeks to 5 months. |
| Calcipotriol 50 mcg/g + betamethasone dipropionate 0.5 mg/g foam Enstilar® Leo Pharma | In September 2016, Health Canada approved this fixed combination containing a vitamin D3 derivative, calcipotriol, and corticosteroid, betamethasone dipropionate, for the topical treatment of psoriasis vulgaris in patients ≥18 years of age. Both in vitro and clinical studies support this novel delivery system as having enhanced penetration of calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate over Dovobet® ointment, demonstrating a slight but significant increase in potency. |
