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.

AbbVie Petitions FDA On Biosimilar Labeling

AbbVie filed a Citizen Petition on June 2, 2015 demanding that FDA impose three labeling requirements on biosimilar applicants. “Biosimilars are not generic drugs and should not be labeled like generic drugs” AbbVie stated, and demanded that the FDA require biosimilars to contain various statements in their labels to distinguish…

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Biologics, Biosimilars, and the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (“BPCIA”): A Short Primer

Below we provide a short introduction to the world of biologics and the BPCIA. For a more comprehensive guide on biosimilars, check out Goodwin Procter’s Biosimilars: A Guide to Regulatory and Intellectual Property Issues. What are biologics? Biologics are medical products such as vaccines, therapeutic proteins, and gene therapies that…

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