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.

Biogen and Xbrane Enter into Worldwide Commercialization and License Agreement for Certolizumab Pegol Biosimilar

On February 7, 2022, Biogen Inc. and Xbrane Biopharma AB announced that they had entered into a commercialization and license agreement related to Xcimzane, a certolizumab pegol biosimilar referencing CIMZIA.  Under the agreement, Biogen will gain exclusive global regulatory, manufacturing, and commercial rights to Xcimzane, and Xbrane will be responsible…

Read More

Alvotech and BiosanaPharma Enter Exclusive Global Licensing Agreement for AVT23

Alvotech Holdings S.A. (“Alvotech”) announced that it has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with BiosanaPharma to co-develop AVT23 (also called BP001), a proposed biosimilar to Xolair® (omalizumab). Xolair® is an anti-IgE antibody indicated for treating certain patients with either moderate to severe persistent asthma or chronic idiopathic urticaria….

Read More

FDA Approves Genentech’s VABYSMO for Wet AMD and Diabetic Macular Edema

On January 28, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Genentech’s VABYSMO (faricimab-svoa) for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). According to the Genentech press release, VABYSMO targets and neutralizes angiopoietin-2 (ang-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). The press release also…

Read More

International Trade Commission Institutes Investigation of Alvotech’s Adalimumab Biosimilar

As noted in our December 21, 2021 post, Complainants AbbVie Inc., AbbVie Biotechnology Ltd. and AbbVie Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd. filed a complaint at the International Trade Commission against Respondents Alvotech hf., Alvotech Germany GmbH, Alvotech Swiss AG, Alvotech USA Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., and…

Read More

FDA Completes Safety Review of Lannett’s IND for Insulin Glargine Biosimilar

Lannett Company, Inc. (“Lannett”) announced Friday that the FDA has completed its safety review of Lannett’s Investigational New Drug application for Lannett’s insulin glargine biosimilar, a product Lannett is co-developing with its strategic alliance partners within the HEC group of companies, and has concluded that the company may proceed with…

Read More