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.

Viatris and Biocon Biologics Launch Bevacizumab Biosimilar ABEVMY in Canada

On May 19, 2022, Viatris Inc. and Biocon Biologics Ltd. announced that ABEVMY, a bevacizumab biosimilar, is now available in Canada.  According to the press release, Viatris and Biocon Biologics co-developed ABEVMY, which references Roche’s AVASTIN (bevacizumab), a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to human vascular endothelial growth…

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Alvotech Announces Positive Results from a Pharmacokinetic Similarity Study for Ustekinumab Biosimilar

On May 16, 2022, Alvotech Holdings S.A. (“Alvotech”) announced positive top-line results from a pharmacokinetic (PK) study for AVT04, Alvotech’s proposed biosimilar to STELARA® (ustekinumab).  Alvotech notes that the study used “a single dose, 3-arm, parallel design to compare pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a single 45mg/0.5mL subcutaneous dose…

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Brian Burgess to speak at FDLI Annual Conference

The annual Food & Drug Law (FDLI) conference will be held on June 14-15, bringing together experts from the federal government, industry, the private bar, non-profit, patient and consumer advocates, consulting organizations, and academia to address complex legal, regulatory, compliance, and policy issues facing the FDA-regulated industry.  Goodwin is a…

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Q1 2022 Earnings Roundup: Biologics and Biosimilars Update

Below are some highlights from first quarter 2022 earnings reports recently released by biologics and biosimilars companies: Biogen:  Last week, Biogen reported total quarterly revenues of $2,532 million, and biosimilar revenue of $194 million decreased 5% versus the prior year.  As reflected by the assumption in the Company’s Full Year…

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Formycon AG Acquires Biosimilar Assets Ustekinumab and Ranibuzumab

On May 10, 2022, Formycon AG (“Formycon”) and ATHOS KG (“ATHOS”) announced that they have closed a transaction regarding the biosimilar assets FYB201 (ustekinumab) and FYB202 (ranibuzumab).  According to the press release, Formycon has acquired 100% of the rights in FYB202, a biosimilar candidate for STELARA®, and ATHOS’s 50% stake…

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Pfizer Files Lawsuit in Australia to Halt Sales of BRENZYS (etanercept)

Last week Pfizer filed a lawsuit in a federal court of Australia against respondents Samsung Bioepis, Merck, Sharp & Dohme, Organon, and Arrow, to halt sales of their biosimilar BRENZYS (etanercept).  Pfizer alleges that the respondents infringe Australian Patent No. 2005280034, titled “Production of polypeptides,” with claims directed to cell…

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Henlius and Eurofarma Entered into a License Agreement for Henlius' 3 Products in Latin America

Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. (“Henlius”) announced this week that it has entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Eurofarma Laboratórios SA (“Eurofarma”), a Brazilian multinational biopharmaceutical company, for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of three biosimilar products in 16 Latin American countries. The three products are HANLIKANG® (rituximab), HANQUYOU®…

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Celltrion to Enter U.S. Humira Biosimilar Market Following Patent Agreement with AbbVie

Celltrion recently announced that it will start selling Yuflyma, an adalimumab biosimilar, in the U.S. in July 2023.  The announcement stems from Celltrion’s recently inked patent agreement with AbbVie which allows Celltrion to market a high-concentration formulation of the drug.  As a company official stated, “By entering the U.S. market…

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