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.

Hoffman-La Roche Disclaims Patent Claims in Response to IPR

As we previously reported, Pfizer filed a petition for IPR of certain claims of Hoffman-La Roche’s U.S. Patent No. 8,314,225 (IPR2018-01219).  According to the petition, the challenged claims “purport to claim nucleic acid sequences that encode the C-terminal part of a human immunoglobulin heavy chain and a method for improving the expression…

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More Discovery Rulings in AbbVie v. BI

We previously reported on discovery disputes in the adalimumab litigation between AbbVie and Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) pending before the District of Delaware.  Earlier this month, Judge Lloret issued an order on additional discovery motions filed by the parties.  Taking into account standards under the Federal Rules, “that the amount in controversy…

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Senate Passes MMA Amendment Requiring FTC and DOJ Review of Biosimilar Patent Litigation Settlements

Yesterday, the Senate overwhelmingly (98-2) passed the “Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act” (S.2554), which includes amendments to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (“MMA”) that require patent litigation settlements between a Reference Product Sponsor and a biosimilar applicant under section 351(k) to be submitted…

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California Sues AbbVie Over Alleged Kickbacks for HUMIRA

In a complaint filed yesterday, the State of California sued AbbVie, Inc. based on an alleged kickback scheme in connection with AbbVie’s Humira® (adalimumab).  The complaint alleges that AbbVie violated the Insurance Frauds Prevention Act (“IFPA”) by providing kickbacks to health providers throughout California.  Specifically, AbbVie allegedly indirectly paid healthcare…

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Boehringer Ingelheim Announces Positive Phase III Results for Its Adalimumab Biosimilar

On September 12, 2018, Boehringer Ingelheim announced positive results from a Phase III clinical trial for its approved adalimumab biosimilar, Cyltezo®. The clinical trial compared the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of Cyltezo® and Humira® in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.  According to Boehringer Ingelheim, the study confirmed equivalence of Cyltezo®…

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Federal Circuit Solicits U.S. Attorney General’s Views on Constitutionality of Subjecting Pre-AIA Patents to Inter Partes Review

Genentech recently submitted two opening appellate briefs to the Federal Circuit in connection with its appeals from the Board’s final written decisions in Hospira’s IPRs, IPR2016-01771 and IPR2016-01837, which found that the challenged claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,622,115 and 7,807,799, respectively, were unpatentable in view of the prior art….

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Mylan Files Ten Additional IPR Petitions Challenging Sanofi's Lantus Patents

As we reported here, on June 9, 2017, Mylan filed two IPR petitions challenging Sanofi-Aventis’s U.S. Patent No. 7,476,652 (IPR2017-01528) and U.S. Patent No. 7,713,930 (IPR2017-01526), related to Sanofi’s Lantus® (insulin glargine injection).  Both petitions were instituted on December 13, 2017, as reported here. On September 10, 2018, Mylan filed ten additional…

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Sandoz Stipulates to Infringement of Certain Asserted Claims Prior to Etanercept Biosimilar Trial

As we have previously reported, the Immunex v. Sandoz patent litigation under the BPCIA concerning Sandoz’s Erelzi™ (etanercept-szzs) biosimilar is scheduled to begin trial today before New Jersey District Judge Claire C. Cecchi. Yesterday, prior to the start of trial, the Court entered a stipulation wherein Sandoz stipulated to infringement of…

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Xbrane Shifts Strategic Focus to Biosimilars

Today, September 10, 2018, Xbrane Biopharma announced that it has decided to shift its strategic focus of capital and resources toward biosimilars and away from its pipeline of generic long-acting injectables.  In addition to moving forward with its pivotal clinical trial for Xlucane, its proposed biosimilar of Lucentis® (ranibizumab), Xbrane…

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