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.

IPR Petition Up for Grabs

We recently posted about the PTAB declining to sanction CFAD for filing IPRs.  In light of that holding, Erich Spangenberg, owner of nXn Partners, revealed his intention to make publicly available substantially final draft versions of IPR petitions for pharmaceutical patents that he believes are invalid.  Spangenberg does not care who…

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Update in Amgen v. Apotex: Apotex’s Answer and Counterclaims

On October 5, 2015, Apotex filed its answer and counterclaims in the ongoing Amgen v. Apotex Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim) litigation. As we previously reported, Amgen’s complaint alleged that Apotex provided Amgen with an “ineffective” Notice of Commercial Marketing pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 262(l)(8)(A), because “a subsection (k) applicant may only give…

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BREAKING NEWS: Deal Is Reached on TPP

It was announced this morning that the U.S. has reached an accord on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). As we reported in previous posts on this topic, one major point of dispute between parties to the negotiations was the length of the data exclusivity period that member-states would need to…

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Deal Watch: Amgen and Allergan Announce Positive Phase 3 Study Results for Their Avastin Biosimilar, ABP 215

Amgen and Allergan announced their biosimilar candidate ABP 215 “met its primary and secondary endpoints” in a Phase 3 study by demonstrating “clinical equivalence in efficacy, and comparable safety and immunogenicity, to bevacizumab.”  ABP 215 is a biosimilar of Avastin (bevacizumab), a recombinant immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody, for treatment of…

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UPDATE in Janssen v. Celltrion: Stipulation of Voluntary Dismissal Narrows Issues to be Litigated

The parties in Janssen v. Celltrion have filed a stipulation of voluntary dismissal narrowing the issues in the litigation.  While it does not dispose of all patent infringement claims in suit, the stipulation narrows the case as follows: Defendants will not launch any biosimilar infliximab product in the United States until after September 15, 2015, the date…

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BREAKING NEWS: PTAB Denied Motions for Sanctions Against the Coalition for Affordable Drugs VI

The PTAB decided today, in IPRs 2015-01092, 2015-01096, 2015-01102, 2015-01103, and 2015-01169, that Patent Owner Celgene failed to meet the evidentiary burden required for its Motions for Sanctions against the Coalition for Affordable Drugs VI, LLC.  The PTAB specifically rejected each of Celgene’s bases for seeking sanctions: Profit Motive: “Profit is at the…

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