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.

FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Formal Meetings between the FDA and Sponsors or Applicants of BsUFA Products and Classification Categories for Certain Supplements under BsUFA III

In August 2023, the Food and Drug Administration issued two draft guidance, both related to the development of biosimilar products, entitled “Formal Meetings between the FDA and Sponsors or Applicants of BsUFA Products” and “Classification Categories for Certain Supplements under BsUFA III”, respectively. The “Formal Meetings between the FDA and…

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Regeneron Moves to Terminate Celltrion IPR on Aflibercept Patent After Regeneron Files Statutory Disclaimer

Last week, Regeneron filed a motion to terminate IPR2023-00620, an IPR filed by Celltrion on February 28, 2023, seeking cancellation of claims 1-4 of Regeneron’s U.S. Patent No. 10,406,226 which is generally directed to methods of manufacturing VEG-F antagonists, including aflibercept.  Regeneron’s motion to terminate is based on Regeneron’s filing…

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Acuitas Seeks Declaratory Judgment of Non-Infringement and Invalidity Against Arbutus and Genevant in New Jersey Court Challenging mRNA-Delivery Specific Patents

Last week, Canada-based Acuitas Therapeutics, Inc. (Acuitas) filed a complaint in the District of New Jersey for declaratory judgment of non-infringement and invalidity against Arbutus Biopharma Corp. and Genevant Sciences GmbH (collectively, Arbutus), challenging U.S. Patent Nos. 9,364,435; 8,058,069; 8,492,359; 8,822,668; 9,006,417; 9,504,651; 9,518,272; 11,141,378; 11,298,320; and 11,318,098 relating to…

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Update: Post-Trial Briefing in Regeneron v. Mylan Aflibercept BPCIA Case Now Complete

We previously reported on the opening post-trial briefs in Regeneron’s BPCIA case against Mylan and Biocon (who was added as a defendant after the original defendant, Mylan, transferred its rights to the aflibercept biosimilar to Biocon). Now, post-trial briefing is complete. The parties submitted their responsive briefs on July 24,…

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Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca Settle Anti-PD-L1 Antibody Product Litigation

We previously reported on Bristol-Myers Squibb’s (“BMS”) complaint alleging AstraZeneca’s PD-L1 antibody product, IMFINZI (durvalumab), infringed U.S. Patent No. 9,402,899 (“the ’899 patent”). BMS alleged that the ’899 patent covers “Nobel Prize winning methods of treating cancer” by using “an antibody to inhibit the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 to…

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Aflibercept IPR Updates

On July 19 and 20, 2023, the PTAB granted institution of IPR2023-00442, filed by Samsung Bioepis regarding Regeneron’s Patent No. 10,130,681 which is directed to treating angiogenic eye disorders with alibercept, and institution of IPR2023-00462, filed by Celltrion regarding Regeneron’s Patent No. 10,464,992 which is directed to formulations of VEGF…

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Teva and Alvotech Expand Strategic Biosimilars Partnership

Alvotech and Teva announced an expansion of their existing strategic partnership agreement relating to biosimilars products in the U.S.  According to the announcement, the existing agreement includes AVT02, an interchangeable high-concentration biosimilar candidate for HUMIRA (adalimumab), and four other biosimilar candidates, including AVT04, a proposed biosimilar of STELARA (ustekinumab).  The…

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EMA Accepts MAA for Dong-A ST’s Ustekinumab Biosimilar

On July 14, Dong-A ST announced that the European Medicines Agency accepted its Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for DMB-3115, a biosimilar referencing STELARA (ustekinumab).  STELARA is approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. The MAA submission was based on the results of a…

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FDA Accepts BLA for Dr. Reddy’s Rituximab Biosimilar for Review

On July 12, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (Dr. Reddy’s) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted for review its Biologics License Application (BLA) for DRL_RI, a biosimilar referencing RITUXAN (rituximab).  RITUXAN is currently FDA-approved for the treatment of adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic…

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