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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.

Celltrion Files IPR Petition on Aflibercept Patent

Last week, Celltrion filed an IPR petition, PTAB IPR2023-00462, seeking cancellation of claims 1-18 of U.S. Patent No. 10,464,992 (“the ’992 patent”), assigned to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  According to the Petition, the challenged claims of the ’992 patent “encompass a formulation comprising the VEGF inhibitor protein, aflibercept, which Regeneron markets…

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An Interview with Rachel Goode, Ph.D, about Biological Patent Thickets

Kevin DeJong (Senior Editor) and Shweta Kumar (Editor) from the Big Molecule Watch recently interviewed Rachel Goode, Ph.D. to discuss an article she recently co-authored, “Biological patent thickets and delayed access to biosimilars, an American problem.”[1]  The article, published in the Journal of Law and the Biosciences, examines whether patent…

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Alvotech and Bioventure Announce Approval of ADALIMUMAB Biosimilar in Saudi Arabia

On January 24, Alvotech and Bioventure, a subsidiary of GlobalOne Healthcare Holding LLC, announced that the Saudi Food & Drug Authority has approved SIMLANDI, a biosimilar referencing HUMIRA (adalimumab), in Saudi Arabia. According to the press release, Bioventure is Alvotech’s exclusive strategic partner for the commercialization of SIMLANDI in the…

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Genentech and Tanvex Reach Settlement in Principle in Trastuzumab BPCIA Litigation

On January 6, 2023, Genentech and Tanvex reached a settlement in principle to resolve all claims with respect to Genentech’s BCPIA complaint.  As we previously reported, Genentech filed a complaint against Tanvex in June 2022, alleging infringement of three patents under the BPCIA based on Tanvex’s submission of an aBLA…

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Chinese Market Biosimilar Update

This week, Bio-Thera Solutions announced that the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved BAT1806, a biosimilar of ACTEMRA (tocilizumab).  BAT1806 is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), and cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and is the first tocilizumab biosimilar approved by any…

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Celltrion Obtains Canadian Approval To Sell Bevacizumab Biosimilar

This week, Celltrion obtained full label approval from Health Canada to sell Vegzelma (CT-P16), a bevacizumab biosimilar indicated for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, and glioblastoma.  Celltrion has secured sales licenses for Vegzelma in 35 countries,…

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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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