Vegzelma (bevacizumab biosimilar) is a prescription only medicine. Vegzelma concentrate for solution for infusion is available as:

– Vegzelma 100mg single dose vials containing 4mL of bevacizumab (25mg/mL)

– Vegzelma 400mg single dose vials containing 16mL of bevacizumab (25mg/mL)

Vegzelma is a biosimilar medicine to the reference biological medicine Avastin. A biosimilar is a biological medicinal product that is highly similar to an already licensed biological medicinal product (reference product). In the case of bevacizumab, the reference product is Avastin.

A biologic is a medicinal product that is derived from living organisms including humans, animals or microorganisms, and is used in treating many life-threatening and chronic diseases.¹

Small differences occur because biological medicinal products are large, highly complex molecules derived from living organisms. These differences are similar to the differences that can occur between batches of a reference biological product.²

Despite these small differences, biosimilar medicines are expected to be as safe and effective as the reference biological product.²

VEGZELMA is a biosimilar of Avastin. The active substance in Vegzelma, bevacizumab, is a monoclonal antibody (a type of protein) that selectively binds to and neutralizes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Tumours produce high levels of VEGF, a protein that stimulates blood vessels to grow, thereby providing the tumour with nutrients and oxygen. When Vegzelma blocks the binding of VEGF to its receptors, it neutralises the biologic activity of VEGF and reduces new blood vessels from growing in the tumour. This disrupts the blood supply to the tumour, inhibiting its growth.³

What is Vegzelma used to treat?⁴

Vegzelma is registered for the treatment of:

• Metastatic colorectal cancer
• Advanced and/or metastatic renal cell cancer
• Advanced, metastatic or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer
• Metastatic breast cancer
• Relapsed high grade malignant glioma
• Advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer
• Cervical cancer

If you experience any side effects or experience any discomfort during your treatment period, please speak to your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional.

Vegzelma has risks and benefits. Always discuss your condition and treatment plan with your healthcare professional and ask your doctor if Vegzelma is right for you. If you have any questions, please seek the advice of your healthcare provider.

Vegzelma is funded for the treatment of advanced or metastatic ovarian cancer, unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and ocular conditions – further restrictions apply. Vegzelma is not funded for the treatment of all other cancers listed above.

Please check with your health provider about the cost of the medicine and any other medical fees that may apply.

This medicine is subjected to additional monitoring to allow quick identification of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get at the following contact channels.

Phone: 0800 838 899

Email: medinfo-nz@celltrionhc.com

Additional Data Sheets and Consumer Medicine Information can be obtained from the Medsafe website at https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/medicines/infosearch.asp