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.

IPR Tracker: IPR2016-00408 and IPR2016-00409 (Boehringer Ingelheim) (U.S. Patent No. 8,889,135)

IPR2016-00408 (Boehringer Ingelheim) (U.S. Patent No. 8,889,135) Petitioner: Boehringer Ingelheim Corp., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim USA Corp. Patent: U.S. Patent No. 8,889,135 Patent Title: Methods of Administering Anti-TNFα Antibodies Patent Owner: AbbVie Biotechnology Ltd. IPR2016-00409 (Boehringer Ingelheim) (U.S. Patent No. 8,889,135) Petitioner:…

Read More

Apotex Moves to Expedite Briefing on Appeal in Amgen v. Apotex

As we covered last week (here), Apotex is appealing the district court’s grant of a preliminary injunction to Amgen in Amgen v. Apotex. Apotex has now moved to expedite the briefing schedule on its appeal in the Federal Circuit.  In its motion, Apotex explains: “Under the district court’s order, Apotex suffers immediate harm because the launch…

Read More