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.

Federal Circuit dismisses Amgen’s appeal and mandamus petition

Today, the Federal Circuit dismissed Amgen’s appeal from and mandamus petition regarding the U.S. District Court for the Delaware’s order denying Amgen’s motion to compel discovery for lack of jurisdiction under the collateral order doctrine. Amgen sought to compel discovery from Hospira regarding two patents that Amgen had not included in its…

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Neupogen Dropped in New Formulary Exclusions

On July 31, Express Scripts identified new formulary exclusions that will go into effect on January 1, 2018.  For example, Amgen’s rG-CSF product, NEUPOGEN, will be excluded in favor of Teva’s rG-CSF product, GRANIX, and Sandoz’s biosimilar, ZARXIO.  Express Scripts has not explained, however, what the reimbursement level will be…

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Coherus Update on Biosimilar Pipeline

Coherus announced completion of initial phases of the Biologic Price Competition and Innovation Act patent exchange with Amgen for its pegfilgrastim biosimilar candidate CHS-1701. Coherus reported that it has received a complete response letter from FDA for CHS-1701’s biologic license application (BLA) and it anticipates resubmitting the BLA in the…

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Q2 Earnings Round-Up

Below are some highlights from second quarter earnings reports recently released by biologics and biosimilar companies. Coherus reported that it has cash and cash equivalents of $118.3 million as of June 30, 2017 and that its total revenue for the first half of 2017 was $1.6 million.  In response to a question…

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Momenta Reports on their Biosimilar Pipeline

In its Q2 2017 Earnings Call last week, Momenta reported that it continues to work towards a first submission for approval of its wholly owned HUMIRA biosimilar, M923, with a possible commercial launch by 2020. Momenta also reported that it is looking for potential collaborators as it further develops M923. In…

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Deal Watch: Regeneron-Sanofi Antibody Discovery Collaboration to End

Yesterday during Regeneron Pharmaceutical’s Q2 earnings call, Regeneron announced that its Antibody Discovery Agreement with Sanofi will be ending on December 31, 2017 without an extension. Regeneron’s President and Chief Scientific Officer, George D. Yancopoulos, stated that Regeneron and Sanofi will continue their collaboration with respect to drugs discovered and initially developed under…

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New BPCIA Litigaton: AbbVie Sues Boehringer Ingelheim Regarding Proposed Biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab)

Today, AbbVie filed a complaint against Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware regarding BI’s aBLA for a biosimilar version of AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab) product. The complaint alleges infringement of 8 patents: U.S. Patent Nos. 8,926,975; 9,018,361; 9,090,867; 9,096,666; 9,255,143; 9,266,949; 9,272,041; and 9,546,212.  According to the…

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Boehringer Ingelheim Announces Start Of Adalimumab Biosimilar Interchangeability Study

Last week, Boehringer Ingelheim announced that it had enrolled the first patient into its VOLTAIRE-X interchangeability study.  This Phase 3 study will investigate the interchangeability of BI’s adalimumab biosimilar candidate, BI 695501, and Humira® in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.  According to BI, results from this study are expected in the…

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Celltrion/Teva and Amgen/Allergan Announce FDA Submissions for Proposed Biosimilars of Herceptin®

Yesterday, two groups announced the submission of applications seeking FDA approval of biosimilars of Herceptin® (trastuzumab), which is indicated for the treatment of HER2-positive early breast cancer, adjuvant breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer and metastatic gastric cancer. First, Celltrion and Teva announced that the FDA has accepted for review a BLA…

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