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.

Supreme Court Announces Briefing Schedule in Amgen v. Sandoz

The Supreme Court has ordered a briefing schedule in Amgen v. Sandoz. Because the Court granted and consolidated Sandoz’s petition and Amgen’s conditional cross-petition, the Court has adopted a four-brief schedule, comparable to the procedure used in the courts of appeals. According to the order, the briefing schedule will be as…

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Sandoz’s Enbrel Biosimilar on Hold Until Patent Case Resolved

As we reported last August, the FDA has already approved Erelzi®, Sandoz’s biosimilar version of Amgen’s psoriasis drug Enbrel.® However, the head of generics at Novartis (Sandoz’s parent) told Reuters this week that their biosimilar product will likely not go on sale before 2018 because of ongoing patent protection issues. Stay tuned for…

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FDA Response to Biosimilar Naming Petitions Just Issued

BioSimilars Patent Dance

On January 13, 2017, the FDA published a final version of its industry naming guidance Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products. In it, the FDA specified a naming convention that gives biosimilar products and their reference products distinguishable, nonproprietary names. Today, the FDA published a follow up letter responding to the pending citizen…

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Trump Withdraws From the TPP

As previously posted, President Trump has stated that he planned to issue a notification of intent to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which is a proposed trade agreement between several pacific countries concerning (among other things) intellectual property and pharmaceutical products.  While President Obama had approved a deal on…

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Janssen v. Celltrion: Motions to Exclude or Limit Evidence and Testimony from the Upcoming Trial

With the pre-trial conference set to begin on February 6, 2017, the parties in Janssen v. Celltrion have filed several motions seeking to exclude or limit certain evidence and testimony that may be offered at trial. Expert Testimony Celltrion has filed a motion to exclude the opinions of Janssen’s proffered expert…

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Humira® UK Patent Trial Began Monday

Samsung Bioepis, Biogen, and Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics are seeking to invalidate some of AbbVie’s patents related to Humira® (adalimumab) before the UK High Court of Justice.  The patents at issue relate to methods of treatment.  AbbVie attempted to have the case dismissed after offering to abandon the patents at…

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Coherus Announces Positive Topline Phase III Results for its Humira Biosimilar

Coherus Biosciences announced “positive topline 24-week treatment phase three results” in patients with psoriasis for CHS-1420, its proposed biosimilar to Humira® (adalimumab).  Coherus stated that it anticipates filing its Biologic License Application (BLA) in the first half of 2017. Coherus previously reported positive topline results from this ongoing trial, and indicated…

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FDA Denies AbbVie's Citizen Petition on Interchangeability

FDA has denied AbbVie’s Citizen Petition on interchangeability. Back in December 2015, AbbVie submitted a Citizen Petition to FDA requesting that the agency take certain actions regarding interchangeability standards for biosimilar applicants.  Specifically, AbbVie requested that FDA: (1) “ensure that applicants seeking interchangeability determinations meet the ‘Safety Standards for Determining Interchangeability’…

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