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.

BMS and Momenta File Additional Letters Regarding Standing in Orencia IPR Appeal

As we reported here, Momenta is appealing a PTAB decision upholding the patentability of BMS’s U.S. Patent No. 8,476,239 (“the ’239 patent”), which relate to BMS’s Orencia® (abatacept) product.  Momenta has not yet filed an aBLA for its abatacept biosimilar candidate, M834, so one of the key issues on appeal is whether Momenta has Article III standing…

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USPTO Plans 25% Increase in AIA Review Fees

In a letter to the Patent Public Advisory Committee last week, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director Andrei Iancu proposed increasing the fees by “roughly 25%” for patent challenges under the America Invents Act, including inter partes review (IPR).  The letter states that the proposed increase is in response to a “variety…

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Bio-Thera Solutions Provides Regulatory and Clinical Development Updates for Proposed Biosimilars

Guangzhou-based biopharmaceutical company Bio-Thera Solutions recently announced that the China National Drug Administration has accepted for review the BLA for BAT1406, a proposed Humira® (adalimumab) biosimilar.  Bio-Thera states that the BAT1406 BLA contains clinical data from a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) trial and a Phase III confirmatory safety and efficacy study in…

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Biosimilar Clinical Trial Updates

Earlier this month, Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Celltrion, and JHL Biotech provided updates on their respective biosimilar clinical trials.  A summary of these developments is below. Clover Biopharmaceuticals announced the beginning of their Phase 1 trial of SCB-808, a proposed biosimilar to Enbrel (etanercept).  According to Clover, the trial is designed to…

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STADA Acquires Majority Stake in Epoetin Biosimilar Licensor BIOCEUTICALS

On August 6, 2018, STADA Arzneimittel AG (“STADA”) announced that it had acquired a majority stake in BIOCEUTICALS Arzneimittel AG (“BIOCEUTICALS”).  According to the press release, STADA is acquiring an additional 35.48 percent of the shares in BIOCEUTICALS  from its co-shareholders to bring its total stake to 51.34 percent.  BIOCEUTICALS…

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New BPCIA Litigation: AbbVie Files Suit on Sandoz's HUMIRA (adalimumab) biosimilar

Today, AbbVie sued Sandoz regarding its proposed biosimilar to HUMIRA (adalimumab) in the District of New Jersey. The suit alleges infringement under the BPCIA of U.S. Patent Nos. 9,187,559 and 9,750,808. The ‘559 patent is directed to methods of administration of adalimumab for treatment of idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases. The ‘808…

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