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.

CVS Replaces Lantus® With Basaglar®

It has been reported that U.S. pharmacy benefit manager CVS will drop Sanofi’s insulin drugs, Lantus® (insulin glargine injection, 100 units/ml) and Toujeo® (insulin glargine injection, 300 units/ml) from the list of medications for which it reimburses on behalf of health insurers.  In July CVS caremark® published a list of…

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Senate Judiciary Committee’s Antitrust Panel Discusses and Advances Proposed Generics and Biosimilars Bill

On July 13, 2021, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s antitrust panel met to discuss biologic and biosimilar competition and its impact on drug prices.  A group of senators, led by Senator Amy Klobuchar, are sponsors of a Senate bill which aims to prohibit biological product manufacturers from compensating biosimilar and interchangeable…

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First Patient Dosed with Stelara® biosimilar in Bio-Thera Solutions’ Phase III Clinical Trial for Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

Last week, Bio-Thera Solutions announced that a first patient has been dosed in its Phase III clinical trial study for ustekinumab biosimilar BAT2206. Stelara® (ustekinumab) is marketed by Johnson & Johnson Corp. for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis, moderate to severe active Crohn’s disease…

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The FDA’s Purple Book

As we previously reported, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act” enacted in December of last year contained a provision that required FDA to create a searchable, electronic database of biologics and to update it with patent information provided to an applicant during the patent dance.  As of the effective date of June…

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President Biden Issues Executive Order Including Provisions To Promote Generic Drug and Biosimilar Competition in the American Economy

On July 9, President Biden issued an Executive Order regarding competition in various sectors of the United States economy, including the healthcare market.  Among the 72 initiatives set forth in the Order are instructions that charge various agencies with tasks to promote generic and biosimilar competition.  The Order directs the Food…

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Innovent Announces the Approval of a First-Line Therapy for People with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in China

Innovent Biologics, Inc. announced that the National Medical Products Administration of China (“NMPA”) approved its supplemental New Drug Application for TYVYT®, a sintilimab injection, in combination with BYVASDA®, a bevacizumab biosimilar injection, as a first-line treatment for people with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (“HCC”).  According to the press release,…

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