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.

Regeneron v. Mylan BPCIA Aflibercept Litigation Update: Claim Construction Order and Stipulation to Narrow the Case for June 2023 Trial

As we have previously reported, Regeneron’s BPCIA case against Mylan regarding Mylan’s proposed aflibercept biosimilar is proceeding on an expedited schedule, with a two-week trial scheduled to begin on June 12, 2023. On April 19, the Court issued a claim construction order construing seven terms from the claims of the four…

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Purple Book Updates

FDA’s Purple Book provides a searchable database of licensed biological products and includes the patent information provided to biosimilar applicants during the BPCIA patent dance.  Pursuant to a law enacted in late 2020, a reference product sponsor must provide patent information to FDA for listing in the Purple Book once…

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FDA Guidance on Continuous Manufacturing of Drug Substances and Drug Products

In March 2023, the FDA issued a final guidance, titled “Q13 Continuous Manufacturing of Drug Substances and Drug Products” that describes scientific and regulatory considerations for the development, implementation, operation, and lifecycle management of continuous manufacturing (CM).” CM refers to “the continuous feeding of input materials into, the transformation of…

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Mabwell Announces Approval of Denosumab Biosimilar MAILISHU in China

On March 31, 2023, Mabwell announced that China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved MAILISHU, a denosumab biosimilar, for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at high risk of fracture. MAILISHU was developed by Mabwell’s wholly owned subsidiary, T-Mab. Mabwell stated that MAILISHU is the world’s second approved…

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Regeneron v. Mylan - Update on Aflibercept BPCIA Litigation

As we previously reported, Regeneron’s BPCIA case against Mylan regarding Mylan’s proposed aflibercept biosimilar is proceeding on an expedited schedule, with a two-week trial scheduled to begin on June 12, 2023, less than a year from Regeneron’s filing of its complaint in August 2022.  The Court’s scheduling order, issued in October…

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Celltrion Confirms Bioequivalence for CT-P39 Against Xolair in Interim Results of Phase 3 Study

On April 10, 2023, Celltrion confirmed the bioequivalence of CT-P39 to treat allergic asthma and chronic urticaria, through its interim results from its global phase 3 clinical trials at 24 weeks.  CT-P39 is a biosimilar referencing Xolair (ingredient: omalizumab), which is an antibody biopharmaceutical that treats allergic asthma, chronic urticaria,…

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Accord BioPharma Announces the Acceptance of BLA for HLX02 (a proposed trastuzumab biosimilar) by FDA

On April 5, 2023, Accord BioPharma announced that the FDA has accepted the Biologics License Application (BLA) for HLX02 referencing HERCEPTIN (trastuzumab) for adjuvant treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer and treatments of HER-2 overexpressing metastatic breast cancer and metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. The BLA submission included results from…

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REMICADE Antitrust Settlement Receives Final Approval

In 2017, three indirect-purchaser antitrust class actions were filed against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Biotech, Inc., alleging that they engaged in anticompetitive conduct relating to the sale and marketing of J&J’s REMICADE (infliximab).  The class actions were brought by employee welfare benefit plans, specifically the National Employees Health Plan,…

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Update on Arbutus mRNA Vaccine Patent Litigations

Last week, Arbutus Biopharma Corp. and Genevant Sciences GmbH (collectively, Arbutus) filed a complaint for patent infringement in the District of New Jersey against Pfizer, Inc. and BioNTech SE. Arbutus/Genevant allege that Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine and any COVID-19 mRNA LNP vaccine products infringe five Arbutus/Genevant patents “relating to nucleic acid-lipid…

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