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Goodwin’s award-winning Big Molecule Watch is the best resource for daily updates and analyses of regulatory issues, litigation, legislation, and other news in the world of biologics, biosimilars and related technologies. The editors of this blog have collectively been watching and engaging with the world of biologics and biosimilars (“big molecules”) since before the inception of the biosimilar industry in the U.S.  With extensive experience representing clients at all stages of a biologic’s or biosimilar’s lifecycle, from research and development, to patents, to regulatory application and approval, and through litigation and appeals, we are excited to share our observations and insights as the industry and the law continues to develop in this exciting area.

This blog focuses on “big molecules” as opposed to “small molecules.” Small molecule drugs have low molecular weight, a simple and well-defined structure, and are chemically synthesized. In contrast, “big molecule” drugs have high molecular weight, complex structures, and are derived from living organisms. For example, aspirin is small molecule while a monoclonal antibody is a big molecule. For further reading on big molecules, consider FDA's resources on biologics.

FDA Approves Amneal’s ALYMSYS (bevacizumab-maly)

On April 13, 2022, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the FDA approved its BLA for bevacizumab-maly, a biosimilar of Roche’s AVASTIN.  The product will be marketed under the proprietary name ALYMSYS and represents the third bevacizumab biosimilar approved in the U.S, following Pfizer’s ZIRABEV (bevacizumab-bvzr) in 2019 and Amgen’s MVASI…

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Expanding Operations in Biologics

Catalent and Abzena both recently announced substantial investments into new biologics facilities.  Catalent is spending up to $160 million to build a new manufacturing facility near Oxford, UK.  Catalent plans to equip the facility with “state-of-the-art capabilities for the development and manufacture of biologic therapies and vaccines, including mRNA, proteins…

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Celltrion’s CT-P6 Demonstrates Equivalent Safety, Efficacy With HERCEPTIN

A recently-published study reported that Celltrion’s CT-P6 (HERZUMA, trastuzumab-pkrb) demonstrated equivalent safety and efficacy compared with reference drug HERCEPTIN when used to treat patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer.  This is the first study to directly compare the safety and efficacy of CT-P6 against HERCEPTIN in patients with advanced gastric…

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International Biosimilar Approval and Launch Updates

On March 30, 2022, Fresenius Kabi announced that the European Commission approved STIMUFEND, a pegfilgrastim biosimilar referencing NEULASTA, for patients with non-myeloid cancer who are receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy.  STIMUFEND, to launch in a prefilled syringe, is Fresenius’s first approved molecule in its oncology biosimilar portfolio and second biosimilar approved in…

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FDA Accepts Regeneron and Sanofi’s DUPIXENT (Dupilumab) sBLA for Priority Review

Last week, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sanofi announced that the FDA has accepted a Priority Review of the supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for DUPIXENT (dupilumab) 300 mg weekly to treat patients aged 12 years and older with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).  EoE is a chronic, immune-mediated, atopic inflammatory condition of…

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Biosimilar Deal Watch: Formycon/ATHOS, Fresenius/mAbxience/Ivenix, and Intas/Axantia

It has been a busy last few weeks for biosimilar developers, with multiple deals announced. On March 29, 2022, it was announced that Formycon AG (“Formycon”) and ATHOS KG (“ATHOS”) have agreed to merge their development activities in the area of biosimilars through a long-term strategic partnership.  Formycon will acquire…

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Alvotech and AbbVie Resolve Disputes Relating to Alvotech’s Adalimumab Biosimilar in Europe

Alvotech Holdings S.A. (“Alvotech”) announced today that it has resolved all intellectual property disputes with AbbVie in Europe related to Alvotech’s AVT02 (adalimumab) biosimilar candidate.  This announcement follows Alvotech’s announcement last month that the company had settled its pending disputes related to AVT02 with AbbVie in the U.S., and states…

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Clinical Trial Updates: Insulin Glargine and Trastuzumab Biosimilars

Lannett Company Announces Initiation of Pivotal Clinical Trial for Biosimilar Insulin Glargine On March 29, 022, Lannett Company (NYSE: LCI) announced the initiation of its pivotal clinical trial of biosimilar insulin glargine, which is being co-developed with Lannett’s strategic alliance partners within the HEC Group of companies. Lannett reported that…

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