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.

Janssen v. Celltrion: Janssen Appeals Judgment Invalidating the ’471 Patent

As we previously reported, on September 26, 2016, the district court in Janssen v. Celltrion entered partial final judgment that the ’471 patent, asserted by Janssen, was invalid.  Today, Janssen filed a notice that they are appealing the district court’s judgment to the Federal Circuit. Meanwhile, Celltrion’s partner Pfizer announced last week that it will begin shipping…

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PTAB Denies Institution on Biogen’s Tysabri® Patent

On October 17, the PTAB denied institution of IPR2016-000912, IPR2016-00915, IPR2016-00916.  The Petitions in these cases were filed by Swiss Pharma International AG on U.S. Patent Nos. 8,815,236; 8,349,321; and 8,900,577, respectively, all owned by Biogen.  The patents all relate to compositions of natalizumab, marketed by Biogen under the brand-name…

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BREAKING NEWS: Pfizer Announces Upcoming U.S. Launch of Biosimilar INFLECTRA® (infliximab-dyyb)

Pfizer announced today that it will begin shipping INFLECTRA® (infliximab-dyyb) for injection, a biosimilar of REMICADE® (infliximab), to wholesalers in the United States (U.S.) in late November 2016.  INFLECTRA® received FDA approval this past April for the treatment of inflammatory conditions including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.  According…

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