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.

Scheduling Order Entered in AbbVie v. Amgen

On Thursday, Judge Robinson entered a scheduling order in the AbbVie v. Amgen (adalimumab) case.  Among other things, the order sets a 20-day bench trial beginning November 4, 2019. The order also establishes a number of discovery and hearing deadlines that are somewhat different than those initially proposed before the…

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Regulators Highlight Differing International Biosimilar Regulations; Interchangeability Guidance May Slip to 2017

Bloomberg BNA reported that a panel of regulators at the DIA 2016 Biosimilar Conference in Washington highlighted the differences among biosimilar regulations internationally and the ongoing changes as countries revise their biosimilar guidances. For instance, in Canada, biosimilars are regulated as new biologics as opposed to the U.S.’s abbreviated pathways…

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Boehringer Ingelheim Announces Phase I Results for Avastin® Biosimilar

Today, Boehringer Ingelheim announced that results from a Phase I study demonstrate its bevacizumab biosimilar candidate, “BI 695502,” is bioequivalent to Avastin®. According to the announcement, BI 695502 met all the pre-defined primary and secondary endpoints in Boehringer Ingelheim’s “INVICTAN®-1″ study, with no clinically relevant differences in safety or immunogenicity found between the study’s BI…

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Amgen and Allergan Submit BLA for Avastin® Biosimilar

As we previously reported, Amgen and Allergan are currently collaborating on four oncology biosimilars, including an Avastin® (bevacizumab) biosimilar, ABP 215. Yesterday, the companies announced the submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) to FDA for ABP 215.  According to the announcement, Amgen and Allergan believe theirs is the first BLA for a bevacizumab biosimilar…

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Mylan and Mabion Reach Agreement on Rituximab Biosimilar

According to a Mabion press release, Mylan recently reached a deal with Mabion, a Polish biotech firm, for the exclusive right to commercialize Mabion’s rituximab biosimilar candidate in EU countries and non-EU Balkan states. The deal included an upfront payment of $10 million and additional milestone payments and royalties.  Rituximab is…

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Eagle Pharmaceuticals to Acquire Arsia Therapeutics

This morning, Eagle Pharmaceuticals announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Arsia Therapeutics.  According to Arsia’s website, Arsia’s technology enables the production of high-concentration, low-viscosity biologics that can be delivered to patients by subcutaneous injection, autoinjector pen, or patch pump.  Eagle’s press release states that the acquisition…

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