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.

Rituximab biosimilar approved in Latin America

On June 6, 2017, Biocad, a Russia biotechnology company, announced that it has obtained marketing authorization for its rituximab biosimilar in Bolivia and Honduras under the trade name USMAL, and that shipments will start in the beginning of Q3 2017.  Biocad further stated that it is registering its rituximab biosimilar…

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Joint Venture to Open Biosimilar Lab in Brazil

PlantForm Corporation, a Canadian biotech firm, has announced that it will begin construction this summer on a new biopharmaceutical lab in Rio de Janeiro with its partner, Brazil-based Axis Biotec Brasil.  According to PlantForm’s press release, the joint venture, known as PlantPraxis, “will first develop a biosimilar version of adalimumab (Humira®)…

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