Welcome to the Big Molecule Watch!

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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.

Lotus and CKD Announce Biosimilar Collaboration

On September 19, 2020, Lotus Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Lotus”) and Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corp. (“CKD”) announced that they have entered into a commercialization agreement in connection with CKD’s biosimilar darbepoetin alfa, a second-generation epoetin indicated for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure.  According to Lotus’ press…

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Genentech, Inc. and JHL Biotech, Inc. File a Stipulation for Entry of a Proposed Consent Judgment and Permanent Injunction; Court Order in Response Asks Parties to Answer Questions

On September 9, 2020, Genentech, Inc. and JHL Biotech, Inc. filed a stipulation for entry of a proposed consent judgment and permanent injunction as to JHL Biotech, Inc.  That proposed consent judgment and permanent injunction is the result of the parties’ June 18, 2020 settlement agreement, in which JHL represented…

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Health Canada Approves Merck’s Etanercept Biosimilar for New Indications

On September 15, 2020, Merck Canada Inc., an affiliate of Merck & Co., Inc., announced that Health Canada approved BRENZYS® (etanercept) for the following additional indications: Adult patients with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy; Pediatric patients ages 4 to 17…

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Low-Cost Syringe Technology May Enable Subcutaneous Injection of Viscous Formulations

In late August, MIT announced that a group of MIT researchers led by Kripa Varanasi published a paper describing a low-cost technology for administering biological drug formulations otherwise too viscous to be injected using conventional medical syringes.  The system utilizes a syringe having an inner barrel containing viscous drug fluid and an outer barrel…

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Samsung Bioepis Announces Phase 3 Exploratory Analyses Results of AYBINTIO (Bevacizumab)

Samsung Bioepis announced positive results yesterday from its exploratory analyses of the Phase 3 study of its biosimilar product, AYBINTIO (bevacizumab).  The study compared AYBINTIO’s efficacy to reference bevacizumab in patients with metastatic or recurrent non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).  According to Vice President and Team Lead of Medical…

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EMA Recommends Blenrep, Adakveo, and Equidacent for Approval

During the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (“CHMP”) meeting this July, the CHMP recommended the approval of two biologics and one biosimilar: GlaxoSmithKline’s Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin), for treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma Novartis’ Adakveo (crizanlizumab), for prevention of vaso-occlusive crises in patients with sickle cell…

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AAM Renews Challenge to California’s Law Targeting Pharmaceutical Patent Infringement Settlements

On August 25, 2020, the Association for Accessible Medicines filed a new Complaint challenging California’s Assembly Bill 824 (“AB 824”).  Enacted in October 2019 and in effect as of January 1, 2020, AB 824 imposes a presumption of anticompetitive effect on certain agreements that involve generic or biosimilar manufacturers and…

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NeuClone Announces Active Development of Biosimilars Referencing OPDIVO and KEYTRUDA

On Sept. 1, 2020, NeuClone Pharmaceuticals announced that they are developing biosimilar candidates referencing OPDIVO and KEYTRUDA. According to NeuClone, the two biosimilar candidates “are in the advanced states of pre-clinical development.”  This brings the number of NeuClone’s biosimilar pipeline to 8 announced products with another 12 in development that…

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Junshi Biosciences to Study JS016, a Novel Coronavirus Neutralizing Antibody Product Candidate

In its second quarter earnings release, Junshi Biosciences announced that its product candidate JS016 was approved to conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial in China. The trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the tolerability and safety of single-dose intravenous infusion of JS106 in healthy subjects. According to…

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