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.

BREAKING NEWS: FDA Denies Citizen Petitions Regarding Biosimilar Labeling

gloved hand withdraws drug solution with syringe

FDA denied citizen’s petitions from Abbvie, the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (“PhRMA”) and Biotechnology Industry Organization (“BIO”) trade associations requesting that FDA impose particular labeling requirements on biosimilar applicants.  FDA said it will continue to determine appropriate labeling on a case-by-case basis and invited the parties…

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FDA Advisory Panels Considering Approvals of Two Biosimilars This Week

An FDA advisory panel unanimously voted to recommend approval of Amgen’s ABP501 biosimilar of AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab) on Tuesday. Likewise, an FDA advisory panel is scheduled to consider approval of Sandoz’s GP2015 biosimilar of Amgen’s  Enbrel (etanercept) today. Our previous coverage noted that the FDA made a preliminary determination that ABP501 is “highly similar”…

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IPR Tracker: IPR2016-00408 & IPR2016-00409 (U.S. Patent No. 8,889,135) (Boehringer Ingelheim Int’l GMBH) – IPRs Instituted

The Board has instituted IPR2016-00408 and IPR2016-00409 on AbbVie Biotechnology’s U.S. Patent No. 8,889,135, which covers methods of treating rheumatoid arthritis with a human anti-tumor necrosis factor α antibody. This patent relates to AbbVie’s Humira®. IPR2016-00172 filed by Coherus BioSciences Inc. was also instituted against this patent earlier this year.

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Hospira to Court: Amgen v. Apotex does not address the specific question raised by Hospira’s Motion to Dismiss in Amgen v. Hospira - UPDATED: Amgen's Response

Tuesday’s Federal Circuit opinion in Amgen v. Apotex  is already being picked up and analyzed in other BPCIA litigation: in Amgen v. Hospira, Hospira has submitted the Federal Circuit’s opinion to the District Court for the District of Delaware (J. Andrews) in connection with its pending motion to dismiss Amgen’s…

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Amgen v. Apotex: Analysis of the Fed. Cir. Opinion

As we posted yesterday, the Federal Circuit has issued its decision in Amgen v. Apotex, affirming the district court’s (S.D. Fla, J. Cohn) order preliminarily enjoining Apotex from launching its biosimilar version of Amgen’s Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) until it has received FDA licensure, given Amgen a post-licensure notice of commercial marketing, and then…

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Breaking News: CAFC Affirms in Amgen v. Apotex

The Federal Circuit issued its decision in Amgen v. Apotex (re: Apotex’s Neulasta biosimilar) this morning.  The Court affirmed the district court, holding that the commercial-marketing provision in 42 U.S.C. § 262(l)(8)(A) is mandatory and enforceable by injunction, even where the biosimilar applicant has triggered the patent dance by providing its…

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