For just the tenth time since the implementation of the BPCIA, the FDA has approved a biosimilar product. Today, the FDA announced that it has approved Pfizer-subsidiary Hospira’s Retacrit™ (epoetin alfa-epbx) for the treatment of anemia caused by chronic kidney disease, chemotherapy, or use of zidovudine in patients with HIV…
Over the past few weeks, numerous biologics and biosimilar companies released their quarterly earnings for Q1 2018 and held related earnings calls. Below are some highlights: On April 17, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) reported a 22.5% year-over-year (YOY) decline in U.S. sales of Remicade® (infliximab), which it attributed “to increased discounts/rebates,…
Over the past week, biopharmaceutical developers from around the world provided updates on the development and availability of a number of biosimilar products and candidates. Below are some highlights. On May 2, Mundipharma, a global network of independent associated companies, announced that the trastuzumab biosimilar Herzuma® is now available in…
The past week saw further developments in the ongoing patent dispute between Janssen and Defendants Celltrion and Hospira relating to Inflectra® (infliximab-dyyb), a biosimilar of Remicade®. First, on May 4, Janssen and Defendants filed competing motions for summary judgment. Both sets of summary judgment papers are directed to the same issue:…
Today, the PTO announced proposed rulemaking to change the claim construction standard applied by the PTAB in IPR, PGR, and CBM proceedings. In particular, the PTO proposes replacing the broadest reasonable interpretation standard for construing unexpired patent claims with the standard applied in federal district courts and ITC proceedings as…
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC and Impax Laboratories, Inc. announced today that they have completed their business combination to form Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Amneal”). According to the press release, with the completion of this business combination, Amneal is now the 5th largest generics business in the United States. Amneal also states that,…
Last June, we reported that Coherus BioSciences had received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA for CHS-1701, a proposed biosimilar to Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim). Later, in August, we reported that Coherus had anticipated resubmitting its BLA in response to the CRL. Today, Coherus announced that it has resubmitted its BLA…
Yesterday, Sandoz announced that the FDA has issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) regarding its aBLA for its proposed biosimilar of Rituxan® (rituximab). Sandoz states that it “stands behind the evidence that it submitted to the FDA and that, “[w]hile disappointed, Sandoz remains committed to further discussions with FDA in…
As we reported last month, many state legislatures have passed or are considering biosimilar substitution bills. Alaska, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont are the latest states to join this list. Last week, the Alaska legislature passed SB 32, entitled “Prescriptions for Biological Products,” which allows substitution of “an interchangeable biological…
We previously reported that on December 21, 2017, Genentech filed suit against Sandoz in the District of New Jersey based on Sandoz’s proposed rituximab biosimilar, Rixathon/GP2013. On April 23, 2018, Judge Renee Marie Bumb held an in-person status conference and set forth a preliminary injunction briefing schedule. The Court ordered the motion for preliminary…