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.

Eleven Professors File Amicus Brief in Sandoz v. Amgen

As we have previously reported, various amicus briefs have been submitted in Sandoz v. Amgen. On March 17, 11 professors submitted an amicus brief in support of Amgen. The 11 professors “teach and write on patent law and policy, and the economics of the biopharmaceutical industry,” and “are concerned with the…

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FDA Approves Genentech’s Ocrevus (ocrelizumab)

gloved hand withdraws drug solution with syringe

FDA announced today that it has approved Genentech’s Ocrevus® (ocrelizumab) for the treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (“PPMS”).  Ocrevus is the first drug approved by the FDA for treatment of PPMS, which the CDC estimates affects 15% of patients with multiple sclerosis….

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FDA Approves Sanofi and Regeneron's Dupixent (dupilumab)

Sanofi and Regeneron announced yesterday that their Dupixent® (dupilumab) product has received FDA approval for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies, or when those therapies are not advisable.  As we reported last week, Sanofi and Regeneron have filed…

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

Celltrion has filed two additional petitions for inter partes review of Genentech patents related to trastuzumab:  IPR2017-01139, challenging U.S. Patent 6,627,196, and IPR2017-01140, challenging U.S. Patent 7,371,379.  According to the Petitions, the patents are drawn to methods for treating cancer by administering trastuzumab and a chemotherapeutic agent.  Trastuzumab is sold…

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Janssen’s Amicus Brief in Sandoz v. Amgen

As we posted here, here, and here, various amicus briefs have been submitted in Sandoz v. Amgen.  Last week, Janssen Biotech, Inc. submitted an amicus brief in support of Amgen. Janssen’s brief emphasizes two points. First, Janssen asserts that the express statutory purpose of the 180-day notice of commercial marketing is to…

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Sanofi and Regeneron Take Aim on Amgen IL-4 Receptor Patent

This week Sanofi-Aventis and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals took aim at Amgen’s U.S. Patent No. 8,679,487 on two fronts, filing a declaratory judgment action in district court and a petition for inter partes review in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.  The ’487 patent is directed to an “isolated human antibody that competes with…

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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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