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.

EC Approves Amgen's Biosimilar Adalimumab

gloved hand withdraws drug solution with syringe

Amgen announced yesterday that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for AMGEVITA (biosimilar adalimumab) in all available indications, including certain adult and pediatric inflammatory diseases.  AMGEVITA is Amgen’s first biosimilar approved by the EC.  Amgen states in its press release that “AMGEVITA was approved in the United States (U.S.) by…

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Celltrion Files Two Additional Petitions for IPR on Genentech's Trastuzumab Patents

Celltrion has filed petitions for inter partes review of two patents related to Genentech’s trastuzumab:  IPR2017-01121, challenging U.S. Patent 7,846,441, and IPR2017-01122, challenging U.S. Patent 7,892,549.  According to the petitions, these two patents claim methods of treating patients with a sub-type of breast cancer with trastuzumab.  These filings follow Celltrion’s…

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Celltrion Files Response Brief In Infliximab Appeal

As we previously reported, in Janssen v. Celltrion, Janssen appealed the district court’s partial final judgment that Janssen’s ‘471 patent, relating to monoclonal antibodies including infliximab, is invalid. As we also previously reported, Janssen filed its opening appeal brief on January 26, 2017.  On March 7, 2017, Celltrion filed its response brief.  Celltrion argues that…

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Celltrion Files Petitions for IPR of Three Rituximab Patents

Celltrion has filed three petitions for IPR of Biogen’s patents related to rituximab:  IPR2017-01093, challenging U.S. Patent 8,329,172; IPR2017-01094 challenging U.S. Patent 8,557,244; and IPR2017-01095 challenging U.S. Patent 9,296,821.  Rituximab is marketed under the trade-name Rituxan® by Genentech and Biogen, and is indicated for the treatment of some cancers and…

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PTAB Institutes IPR of Genentech's Bevacizumab Patent

The PTAB has instituted inter partes review of Genentech’s U.S. Patent 7,622,115, granting Hospira’s petition in IPR2016-01771.  According to the institution decision, the patent is directed to methods for treating cancer in a patient comprising administering an effective amount of bevacizumab and assessing the patient for gastrointestinal (“GI”) perforation during treatment…

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