PV Bulletin

Revision of Guideline on Similar Biological Medicinal Products

The EMA has released a concept paper for the revision of the biosimilar guideline to align with the New Pharmaceutical Legislation.

Primary source: European Medicines Agency (EMA)

PV Impact Brief

Urgency: HighConfidence: high

What changed

The EMA has initiated a public consultation for the revised guideline starting from July 22, 2026, with a comment submission deadline of October 31, 2026.

Why it matters

The revision will significantly impact the baseline evidence required for biosimilar approval and the intensity of post-approval safety monitoring following the potential reduction in comparative clinical data.

Action needed

MAHs must prepare for updated risk management plans and post-marketing surveillance processes, reflecting the revised data requirements and definitions for biosimilars as per the NPL.

Relevant for
Regulatory Intelligence LeadSignal Management LeadLabeling LeadQPPV
Processes impacted
Signal ManagementLabeling
Owner

Regulatory Intelligence Lead

Review cadence

Review before 2026-10-31.

Policy change details

Document type
Consultation
Policy status
consultation
Publication date
2026-07-22
Consultation deadline
2026-10-31
Policy change
EMA has released a concept paper for the revision of the overarching biosimilar guideline to align with the New Pharmaceutical Legislation (NPL). The revision focuses on reflecting technical and scientific progress, particularly concerning the utility of comparative efficacy studies and data requirements for biosimilar approval.

Key changes

Revision of definitions and data requirements for similar biological medicinal products; alignment with NPL; potential reduction in the need for comparative efficacy studies (CES) where analytical tools are sufficient; update of preclinical and clinical assessment sections.

Affected workflows

Signal ManagementLabeling

Responsible groups

Regulatory AffairsPharmacovigilance OperationsClinical Safety

Document identifiers

CHMP/437/04 Rev.1

PV impact

The revision will impact the design of Risk Management Plans (RMPs) and post-marketing surveillance for biosimilars. MAHs should anticipate changes in the baseline evidence required for approval and the subsequent intensity of post-approval safety monitoring, especially if clinical comparative data is reduced.

View regulator source

Source document details

Exact policy details

Start of public consultation
22 July 2026
Applies to: Public consultation period for the revised guideline
Start of public consultation · p. 1 · High · Source
End of consultation (deadline for comments)
31 October 2026
Applies to: Deadline for submission of comments on the proposed guideline
End of consultation (deadline for comments) · p. 1 · High · Source
Proposed timetable for guideline revision
Q2 2027 for draft publication and 2028 for final adoption
Applies to: Timeline for the revision's draft and final document
A three-month consultation period is proposed. · p. 3 · High · Source

Workflow rule impacts

Country ComplianceBiological Medicinal Products Working Party (BMWP)

Potential updates required in compliance strategies to align with the new guideline.

Revision of the guideline on similar biological medicinal products reflects new legal definitions.

The guiding document will provide updated high-level guidance regarding the necessity and utility of Comparative Efficacy Studies. · p. 2 · High · Source

Evidence and confidence

Confidence: highSource updated: Jul 22, 2026

Full briefing

Practical implication

MAHs must prepare for updated risk management plans and post-marketing surveillance processes, reflecting the revised data requirements and definitions for biosimilars as per the NPL.

The concept paper outlines the revision of the overarching guideline on similar biological medicinal products, emphasizing the need to reflect recent scientific advances and regulatory changes. It proposes potential reductions in the necessity for comparative efficacy studies and updates risk management plans and post-marketing surveillance practices.

What changed: The EMA has initiated a public consultation for the revised guideline starting from July 22, 2026, with a comment submission deadline of October 31, 2026.

Why it matters: The revision will significantly impact the baseline evidence required for biosimilar approval and the intensity of post-approval safety monitoring following the potential reduction in comparative clinical data.

Practical implication: MAHs must prepare for updated risk management plans and post-marketing surveillance processes, reflecting the revised data requirements and definitions for biosimilars as per the NPL.

View original source

Published from the Firecrawl policy change extraction pipeline.

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