A randomized, double-blind, single-dose, two-arm, parallel study comparing pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity and tolerability of branded adalimumab and its biosimilar LBAL in healthy male volunteers

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the pharmacokinetics (PK), immunogenicity, and tolerability of LBAL, a biosimilar of adalimumab, with the originator, Humira (R), in healthy volunteers.Methods: A randomized, double-blind, single-dose, two-arm, parallel-group study was conducted in 116 healthy subjects. They randomly received a single subcutaneous (SC) 40mg injection of LBAL or Humira. Blood samples were collected for PK and immunogenicity assessment. PK parameters were determined using the noncompartmental method, and primary endpoint parameters were compared using the point estimates and 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of the geometric mean ratios (GMRs). Tolerability was also evaluated.Results: The PK characteristics of the test and reference drugs were comparable. The GMR (90% CIs) for C-max and AUC(inf) of LBAL to Humira were 1.01 (0.92-1.11) and 0.96 (0.83-1.10), respectively, which were within the conventional bioequivalence criteria of 0.80-1.25. No significant differences occurred in the frequency of subjects with anti-adalimumab antibody-positive responses between both drugs. Tolerability profiles including adverse events were also comparable.Conclusion: The PK characteristics of the biosimilar LBAL and the originator Humira were similar. LBAL and Humira did not show significant differences in immunogenicity and both were well tolerated after a single SC injection.