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.

Status Update on Janssen v. Celltrion

As we previously reported in the dispute brought by Janssen against Hospira and Celltrion regarding infliximab, Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the 2015 and 2016 consolidated actions for lack of standing. In those actions, Janssen asserted infringement of the ‘083 patent (as well as other patents which were later…

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European commission approves Sandoz’s Rixathon® (rituximab)

Sandoz announced today that it has received approval for the use of Rixathon® in Europe. Rixathon® is a biosimilar version of Roche’s MabThera® (rituximab) and is approved for use in all the same indications, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma), chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and immunological diseases…

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Boehringer Ingelheim Announces Interim Results on Adalimumab Biosimilar Candidate BI695501

Today, Boehringer Ingelheim announced the 24-week results from the Phase III VOLTAIRE®-RA study, comparing the adalimumab biosimilar candidate BI 695501 to Abbvie’s Humira® in patients with moderate- to severely-active rheumatoid arthritis.  According to BI, the results indicate that BI 695501 has similar efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity as Humira® in these…

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New Data Supports Efficacy and Safety of Celltrion’s Rituximab Biosimilar

Celltrion Healthcare presented new data on their Rituximab biosimilar Truxima® (CT-P10) at the International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML) in Switzerland and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Congress 2017 in Spain.  According to the presentation, data from a randomized, double-blind, controlled phase III study in 140 patients indicate that Truxima®…

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Bristol-Myers Squibb announces new pediatric subcutaneous administration option for Orencia® (abatacept)

gloved hand withdraws drug solution with syringe

We previously reported that the PTAB upheld the validity of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s ‘239 patent covering their rheumatoid arthritis agent Orencia® (abatacept). Since 2008, Orencia® has only been approved for use in patients 6 years of age and older with moderately to severely active polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). However, last…

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