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.

IPR Updates

Here are some updates since our last IPR update: HUMIRA On November 6, 2017, Sandoz filed an IPR Petition challenging AbbVie’s U.S. Patent No. 9,187,559 (IPR2018-00156).  The ‘559 patent is directed to a method for treating idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. RITUXAN On November 6, 2017, the Board denied institution of an IPR on Pfizer’s…

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Sandoz Announces New Data For Its Adalimumab And Rituximab Biosimilars

On November 14, 2017, Sandoz announced data from four clinical trials comparing its proposed adalimumab and rituximab biosimilars to their reference drugs, Humira® and Rituxan®.  We previously reported that the Sandoz adalimumab biosimilar is currently under EMA review.  As we reported here, the Sandoz rituximab biosimilar has been approved by the European Commission…

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FDA Announces New Draft REMS Guidance

Last week, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced new draft guidance on risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) programs. The draft guidance provides for a single shared Drug Master File submission for all manufacturers of the same drug, which eliminates duplicative paperwork. This draft guidance is part of the FDA’s new two-pronged…

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Federal Circuit Provides Guidance on Statements in Patent Dance Letters and Sunovion in Amgen v Apotex

As we previously reported, yesterday the Federal Circuit affirmed the Southern District of Florida’s finding of non-infringement in Amgen v. Apotex. In that case, Amgen asserted the ’138 patent against Apotex based on Apotex’s aBLAs for biosimilar versions of Amgen’s Grastofil™ (filgrastim) and Lapelga™ (pegfilgrastim) products.  Claim 1, the only independent claim,…

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Boehringer Ingelheim's First Biosimilar Is Approved in Europe

Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) announced today that it received marketing authorization in Europe for Cyltezo®, which is a biosimilar to Humira®.  Cyltezo® was approved for the treatment of multiple chronic inflammatory diseases in adults and children.  As previously reported, BI’s Cyltezo® was approved by the FDA on August 25, 2017, and…

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Biosimilars Update: Amgen, Allergan, Pfenex, Cinfa

Below are regulatory and development updates regarding a number of biosimilar candidates. Today, Amgen and Allergen announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a positive opinion for the Marketing Authorization of ABP 215, their proposed biosimilar of Avastin®…

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