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.

Biocon and Mylan Team Up for Biosimilar Regulatory Filings

Biocon, a prominent Indian biopharma company, entered into a partnership with Mylan in 2009 for joint research and development of biosimilars. That partnership now appears to be yielding results.  The companies expect to submit regulatory filings in both the U.S. and EU 2016: trastuzumab, pegfilgrastim, adalimumab, and insulin glargine. As Big…

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Big Day for Celltrion’s Infliximab Product

Yesterday, the FDA’s Advisory Committee overwhelmingly supported approval of Celltrion’s infliximab product, which is a biosimilar for Janssen’s Remicade product. At the District Court status conference in Janssen v. Celltrion, which followed the Advisory Committee vote, Celltrion’s counsel said that Celltrion is expecting FDA approval in about four to eight…

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FDA Scientists Express View that Celltrion’s Infliximab Biosimilar is "Highly Similar" to Remicade, Meet Today to Discuss Application

Following FDA support announced last Friday for Celltrion’s proposed Remicade® biosimilar (“CT-P13”), the FDA is holding an Advisory Committee meeting today to discuss Celltrion’s application. On Friday, the FDA said that based on its review of the data, Celltrion’s CT-P13 has been demonstrated to be highly similar to Remicade, notwithstanding…

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House Subcommittee on Health Addresses BPCIA Implementation and FDA Biosimilars Guidance

The House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health met this morning to discuss implementation of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act. Sean Cavanaugh, Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicare, and Janet Woodcock, Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, testified. The subcommittee’s questioning…

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