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's Citizen Petition on Interchangeability

On December 16, 2015, AbbVie submitted a Citizen Petition (link) (Docket No. FDA-2015-P-4935) to the FDA concerning the requirements for demonstrating interchangeability between a brand-name reference product and its biosimilar counterpart. In its Citizen Petition, AbbVie requested that the FDA take the following actions: FDA should “ensure that applicants seeking…

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BREAKING NEWS: PTAB Denies IPR Institution on AbbVie’s Humira

The PTAB denied institution on two of Amgen’s IPR petitions (IPR2015-01517, IPR2015-01514) against AbbVie’s Humira.  The patents, 8,916,157 and 8,916,158, are directed to formulations of Humira, that Amgen argued were obvious because they combined adalimumab, a known antibody, with known excipients for antibody formulations.  Based on the PTAB’s claim construction…

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Deal Watch: Mylan & Momenta Collaborate on 6 Biosimilar Medications

On January 8, 2016, Mylan N.V. and Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. entered into an exclusive global collaboration agreement to jointly develop, manufacture, and commercialize six of Momenta’s current biosimilar medications.  According to public information about the agreement, while each company will equally share costs and profits with respect to the products,…

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