Welcome to the Big Molecule Watch!

ENGLISH | 中文

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.

Janssen v. Celltrion: Motion to Modify Protective Order

In addition to the pending cross-motions for partial summary judgment on which we’ve previously reported, the parties in the Janssen v. Celltrion BPCIA litigation recently completed briefing on the issue of whether the district court should permit Janssen to use confidential information obtained through discovery as a basis for a…

Read More

CFAD's Additional Briefing on "Abusive" IPRs

Earlier this month, PTAB asked for additional briefing on whether the two IPRs filed by the Coalition for Affordable Drugs (“Bass Group”, or “CFAD”) against NPS should be dismissed for abuse of process.  In its Brief in Response to the Board’s Request for Additional Briefing, NPS responded to the PTAB’s…

Read More

NPS's Additional Briefing on “Abusive” IPRs

We recently posted about the PTAB asking for additional briefing on whether the two IPRs filed by the Coalition for Affordable Drugs (“Bass Group”) against NPS (which was acquired by Shire, LLC) should be dismissed for abuse of process.  The two IPRs are directed to the same patent, US 7,056,886,…

Read More

New BPCIA Litigation: Amgen v. Hospira

Amgen has initiated new litigation over the patent provisions of the BPCIA, this time against Hospira in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, regarding Hospira’s biosimilar application for FDA licensure of a biosimilar version of Amgen’s Epogen (epoetin alfa) product, which was approved by FDA in 1989…

Read More

Janssen v. Celltrion Supplemental Briefing in Light of Amgen v. Sandoz: Opposition Brief from Celltrion and Hospira

As we reported in a previous post, the parties in Janssen v. Celltrion–a BPCIA-related case pending in the District of Massachusetts—are currently litigating whether Celltrion’s pre-FDA-licensure notice of commercial marketing was legally effective under the BPCIA. The parties have filed cross-motions for partial summary judgment on this issue, and these motions were pending when the Federal Circuit issued…

Read More

Amicus Briefs Filed in Amgen v. Sandoz

Hospira, Inc., Celltrion Healthcare Co., Ltd., and Celltrion Inc. (jointly) and the Biosimilars Council filed amicus briefs today in support of Sandoz’s petition for rehearing en banc in Amgen v. Sandoz.  The briefs are now publicly available and are attached here and here. UPDATE: Mylan Inc. has also filed an amicus…

Read More

BREAKING NEWS--Sandoz launches biosimilar product Zarxio in the U.S.

Following the end of the injunction imposed by the Federal Circuit’s July 21st opinion in Amgen v. Sandoz, Sandoz today launched its biosimilar product Zarxio–the first product to be approved under the BPCIA’s abbreviated approval pathway for biosimilars.  Zarxio is a biosimilar product referencing Amgen’s Neupogen (filgrastim) product, and will be sold at…

Read More