Europe approves first biosimilar antibody drug

LONDON (Reuters) – The European Commission has approved the first copycat version of an antibody-based drug, clearing the way for increased competition for the makers of multi-billion dollar biotechnology drugs to treat complex diseases. Tuesday’s final green light for Inflectra – which was developed by South Korea’s Celltrion and will be marketed by U.S. company Hospira – had been expected following a European Medicines Agency recommendation in June. …