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.

Fresenius Kabi Acquires Merck KGaA's Biosimilars Business

On Monday, April 24, 2017, Fresenius Kabi and Merck KGaA announced that Fresenius will be acquiring Merck KGaA’s biosimilars business. According to Merck KGaA’s press release, Merck KGaA’s biosimilar portfolio focuses on oncology and inflammatory disorders. Both companies report that the transaction is expected to close in the second half…

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Supreme Court Oral Argument in Sandoz v. Amgen

The Supreme Court held a 70-minute oral argument in Sandoz v. Amgen this morning. Before beginning the argument, the Chief Justice announced that the Court would give each side five extra minutes–a highly unusual step reflecting the case’s complexity. It was difficult to forecast the outcome because several members of the Court…

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FDA Advisory Committee to Hold Public Meeting on Hospira's Proposed Epogen/procrit Biosimilar

The FDA recently announced that the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on May 25, 2017 to discuss Hospira’s application for a proposed biosimilar of Amgen’s Epogen®/Procrit® (epoetin alfa). Pfizer (Hospira’s parent) announced earlier this year that it resubmitted the application in December 2016, following FDA’s rejection…

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BREAKING NEWS: FDA Approves Samsung Bioepis’s Biosimilar of REMICADE®

Today, FDA approved Samsung Bioepis’s aBLA for RENFLEXIS® (infliximab-abda), a biosimilar of Janssen’s REMICADE®.  According to the approved prescribing information, RENFLEXIS® is indicated for the treatment of Crohn’s disease, pediatric Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis (in adult patients), rheumatoid arthritis (in combination with methotrexate), ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis. …

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