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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.

PTAB Institutes Mylan’s Two EYLEA (aflibercept) IPRs

As we previously reported, Mylan recently filed three IPR petitions challenging claims of Regeneron patents directed to treating angiogenic eye disorders with aflibercept, the active ingredient in Regeneron’s Eylea product—IPR2022-01225 (challenging U.S. Patent No. 10,130,681), IPR2022-01226 (challenging U.S. Patent No. 10,888,601), and IPR2023-00099 (challenging U.S. Patent No. 10,857,205). This week, the PTAB granted institution on two…

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Alvotech and Teva Announce Acceptance of BLA for AVT04, a Proposed Biosimilar to STELARA (ustekinumab)

On Jan 6, 2023, Alvotech and Teva announced that the FDA has accepted for review a Biologics License Application (BLA) for AVT04, Alvotech’s proposed biosimilar to STELARA (ustekinumab), and stated that the companies anticipate that the FDA’s review will be completed in the second half of 2023. In August 2020,…

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Alvotech Initiates Study of Biosimilar of J&J's Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug SIMPONI

Alvotech announced yesterday the initiation of a pharmacokinetic study for AVT05, a biosimilar referencing Johnson & Johnson’s (“J&J”) SIMPONI and SIMPONI ARIA (golimumab).  SIMPONI is used to treat certain types of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), active ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and ulcerative colitis (UC). The study will assess…

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Coherus Agrees to Acquire a Biosimilar EYLEA Candidate from Klinge Biopharma

On Jan 9, Coherus BioSciences, Inc. (“Coherus”) announced that it has agreed to acquire the exclusive commercialization rights to FYB203, a biosimilar referencing EYLEA (aflibercept) from Klinge Biopharma GmbH (“Klinge Biopharma”) in the US. The parties expect to complete the transaction in Q1 2023.  Coherus plans to file an abbreviated…

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Celltrion and Rani Therapeutics to Jointly Develop Oral Formulation of Ustekinumab Biosimilar

Yesterday, Celltrion and US-based Rani Therapeutics (“Rani”) announced that they will jointly develop an oral formulation of CT-P43, a biosimilar to Stelara® (ustekinumab), indicated for the treatment of psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Celltrion’s CT-P43 biosimilar is currently only available in two injectable formulations – intravenous and subcutaneous. According…

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Year in Review: Top Deals in 2022

According to PwC, “2022 has been a challenging year for M&A in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, with both deal value and volume at multiyear lows thanks to overall macro headwinds coupled with broad-based market dislocation.”  PwC expects “M&A to more closely resemble prior years with a total deal…

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Samsung Bioepis Announces Approval of Citrate-Free, High-Concentration Adalimumab Biosimilar in Canada

On January 3, 2023, Samsung Bioepis announced that Health Canada has approved their citrate-free, high concentration (40 mg/0.4 mL) HUMIRA biosimilar, HADLIMA (also known as SB5). HADLIMA is indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis, adult Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis,…

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Year in Review: Top Biosimilars-Related Regulatory Developments of 2022

As 2022 comes to a close, we review Big Molecule Watch’s top five biosimilar regulatory developments of the year: USPTO Outlines New Initiatives Regarding Drug Pricing In July, we reported that Katherine Vidal, the Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, published a letter summarizing several…

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