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.

Mylan Invalidates Another LANTUS Patent at the PTAB

On March 26, 2021, the PTAB issued its Final Written Decision in Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GMBH, IPR2019-01657, which involved Sanofi’s Patent RE47,614 (“’614 patent”) relating to its LANTUS (insulin glargine) product. The PTAB ruled in favor of Mylan and held all 18 claims invalid for obviousness in view…

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White Paper Investigates Biosimilar Competition and Price Reduction

In March 2021, researchers from Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital published a white paper exploring the link between entry of biosimilars under The Biological Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA) and moderation in drug prices driven by market competition.  The white paper studied the price and…

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Amneal Acquires Kashiv Specialty Pharmaceuticals

On April 5, 2021, , Inc. (“Amneal”) and Kashiv BioSciences LLC (“Kashiv”) announced that Amneal’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC, has completed its acquisition of a 98% interest in Kashiv’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Kashiv Specialty Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Kashiv Specialty”).  According to the release, Amneal has a portfolio of more than 250…

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Biosimilar Manufacturing Update

On March 25, 2021, biosimilar manufacturer mAbxience announced that it is expanding its León, Spain manufacturing facility with a new 4,000 L Custom Single Run (“CSR”) bioreactor.  mAbxience claims its León plant is “the biggest biologic plant in Spain and the first in Europe with fully integrated single-use technology in…

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Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Aflibercept (Eylea®) Biosimilar Completed by Alteogen

Alteogen recently announced that it has successfully completed a Phase 1 clinical trial for its Eylea® biosimilar, ALT-L9.  Alteogen conducted the clinical trials in South Korea, where its headquarters are located.  In the clinical trials, ALT-L9 and Eylea® were randomly assigned to 28 patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (wet…

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Adalimumab Biosimilars Ready To Enter Australian, Korean, Japanese and European Markets

On March 29, Samsung Bioepis announced the launch of its adalimumab biosimilar HadlimaTM, referencing AbbVie’s HumiraTM, in Australia in partnership with Merck & Co.  HadlimaTM is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, adult and paediatric Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, hidradenitis suppurativa and…

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