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.

Samsung Files Petition for IPR on Genentech Carter Patent

Last Friday, Samsung Bioepis filed IPR2017-02139 and IPR2017-02140, directed to Genentech’s U.S. Patent No. 6,407,213. According to the petitions, the ‘213 patent claims are directed to “humanized antibodies with non-human residues in the Complementarity Determining Regions (‘CDRs’) as well as in the framework region at certain, specified positions.” The petitions…

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Federal Circuit Oral Arguments in NYC Today

This week, six Federal Circuit panels will hear oral argument on at various venues in New York City.  Two of today’s oral arguments are in biosimilar cases that we have been closely following on this blog. First, at 10:00 AM, a panel will hear oral argument at the U.S. Court…

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Sandoz Files Petition For IPR On Abbvie Adalimumab Patent

Today Sandoz filed IPR2018-00002, directed to AbbVie’s U.S. Patent No. 9,512,216.  According to the petition, the ’216 patent claims a subcutaneously-administered dosing regimen for the anti-TNF-α antibody adalimumab, the active ingredient in AbbVie’s Humira ® product, to treat moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.  This is the second petition Sandoz…

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FDA Draft Guidance Describes FDA’s Current Thinking on Evaluating Analytical Similarity for Biosimilar Products

Last week, FDA issued its latest draft guidance on biosimilar products and implementation of the BPCIA.  The draft guidance, titled Statistical Approaches to Evaluate Analytical Similarity, “describes the type[s] of information a sponsor of a proposed biosimilar product should obtain” to support a showing of analytical similarity to a licensed…

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Amgen and AbbVie Settle Adalimumab BPCIA Litigation

Amgen has announced that it has settled all pending patent litigation regarding AMJEVITA, its biosimilar version of AbbVie’s Humira® (adalimumab). Amgen reports that AbbVie will grant patent licenses for the use and sale of the product worldwide, on a country-by-country basis. Amgen states that it expects to launch its product in…

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Samsung Bioepis Biosimilar Updates

We previously reported that, according to a May 10, 2017 record on ClinicalTrials.gov, Samsung Bioepis planned to start a Phase 3 clinical trial in September 2017 on SB11, its biosimilar of Roche’s Lucentis® (ranibizumab injection), for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.  The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety reportedly approved…

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