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.

REGENXBIO Sues Sarepta Therapeutics for Patent Infringement on Gene Therapy Product

Last week REGENXBIO Inc. and the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania filed suit in Delaware against Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., Sarepta Therapeutics Three, LLC, and Catalent, Inc., alleging that the defendants’ adeno-associated virus (“AAV”) technology gene therapy product has infringed or will infringe U.S. Patent No. 11,680,274 (“the ‘274 Patent”)….

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FDA Accepts Xbrane’s sBLA for LUCENTIS® (Ranibizumab) Biosimilar Candidate

On June 21, 2023, Xbrane announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for filing Xbrane’s supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for a LUCENTIS® (ranibizumab) biosimilar candidate. Xbrane stated that “[t]he biosimilar candidate is a VEGF-a inhibitor, intended for the treatment of serious eye diseases such as…

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Coherus and AbbVie File Dueling Motions for Injunctive Relief Relating to Coherus’s HUMIRA Biosimilar

Our readers may recall that ten HUMIRA biosimilars have been licensed to launch, with Amgen’s AMJEVITA the only one to launch to date and nine others set to launch starting in July 2023.  On June 1, 2023, Coherus issued a press release announcing “that the company plans to launch YUSIMRY™…

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Samsung Bioepis Files Four IPR Petitions on Alexion Eculizumab Patents and One IPR Petition on a Janssen Ustekinumab Patent

Samsung recently filed the following IPR petitions challenging all claims of four patents assigned to Alexion relating to SOLIRIS (eculizumab): IPR2023-00998, challenging claims 1-3 of U.S. Patent No. 9,718,880; IPR2023-00999, challenging claims 1-10 of U.S. Patent No. 9,725,504; IPR2023-01069, challenging claims 1-8 of U.S. Patent No. 10,590,189; and IPR2023-01070, challenging…

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Natasha Daughtrey to Speak at ACI’s 14th Annual Summit on Biosimilars & Innovator Biologics

The 14th Annual American Conference Institute’s (ACI) Summit on Biosimilars & Innovator Biologics will be held on June 27-28, bringing together the “who’s who” of the biosimilars and innovator biologics industries as they gather to discuss and contemplate the impact of critical developments in these industries: biologics becoming the fastest-growing…

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Coherus to Acquire Surface Oncology

On June 16, 2023, Coherus BioSciences, Inc. and Surface Oncology, Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement, where, at the closing, Coherus will acquire Surface Oncology, a clinical-stage immuno-oncology (I-O) company developing next-generation immunotherapies that target the tumor microenvironment.  Coherus’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said…

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Celltrion and Rani Therapeutics to Jointly Develop Oral Formulation of Adalimumab Biosimilar

Celltrion and US-based Rani Therapeutics (“Rani”) announced that they entered an agreement to develop RT-105, an orally administered adalimumab biosimilar made using the RANIPILL platform.  The announcement explains that RANIPILL capsules are Rani’s payload agnostic oral delivery technology intended to replace subcutaneous or intravenous injection of biologics or drugs, and…

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Alvotech and Teva Reach Ustekinumab (STELARA) Settlement with J&J

gloved hand withdraws drug solution with syringe

Alvotech and Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that they reached a settlement and license agreement with Johnson & Johnson regarding AVT04, Alvotech’s proposed biosimilar to STELARA (ustekinumab) in the United States.  “According to the settlement agreement, AVT04 (ustekinumab) can be marketed in the US, subject to regulatory approval, no later than…

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Updates on Recent Foreign Approvals and Launches

On May 26, 2023, the European Commission granted the marketing authorization to Samsung Bioepis for EPYSQLI, a biosimilar referencing SOLIRIS (eculizumab) developed by Alexion for the treatment of the paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) that had global sales of approximately $5 trillion last year. As the first hematology biosimilar developed by…

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