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.

PTAB Denies Institution Of IPR On Two Humira Patents

The PTAB has denied institution of inter partes review of two Abbvie patents that relate to HUMIRA (adalimumab). On February 9, 2018, the PTAB denied Sandoz’s IPR2017-01824 on U.S. Patent No. 9,512,216, which is directed to a method of treating plaque psoriasis by subcutaneously administering a claimed regimen of adalimumab. On the same day, the PTAB…

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Countries Enter into CPTPP Without U.S.

About one year after the U.S. withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Comprehensive Progressive Agreement Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is to be signed in March by the remaining countries (with ratification expected in 2019). The remaining eleven countries include: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and…

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Trastuzumab Biosimilar Demonstrates Equivalence

The Journal of Clinical Oncology reported that Merck and Samsung Bioepis’ biosimilar to trastuzumab (Herceptin®), SB3, demonstrated equivalence to trastuzumab in recent Phase III trials. According to the report, in a phase III, randomized, double-blind study of 800 women with HER2-positive breast cancer, SB3 induced a rate of breast pathologic complete…

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Sanofi/Regeneron Move for Summary Judgment of Invalidity in Dupixent® Patent Litigation

Last week, in the ongoing Immunex v. Sanofi patent litigation regarding Immunex’s claims of infringement against Sanofi and Regeneron’s Dupixent® (dupilumab) product, the Defendants moved for summary judgment of invalidity of the sole patent-in-suit, the ‘487 patent, on the ground that the patent’s claims are indefinite. According to Defendants’ brief,…

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Recommendatoins For The Use Of Biosimilars To Treat Rheumatological Diseases

The February edition of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases published a Recommendation titled, “Consensus-based recommendations for the use of biosimilars to treat rheumatological diseases.” A panel of rheumatologists, dermatologists, gastroenterologists, and pharmacologists, as well as patients and regulators, were assembled to conduct a study aimed at developing recommendations regarding…

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