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.

Alvotech Announces Positive Top-Line Results from Clinical Trial for Ustekinumab Biosimilar

On May 24, 2022, Alvotech Holdings S.A. (“Alvotech”) announced positive top-line results from a confirmatory clinical trial for AVT04, Alvotech’s proposed biosimilar to STELARA® (ustekinumab). STELARA® is prescribed to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and plaque psoriasis. Alvotech notes that its trial…

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JSR Life Sciences Launches New “Similis Bio” Business Division to Accelerate Biosimilar Development

JSR Life Sciences recently announced its launch of a new business division, “Similis Bio,” intended to help biosimilar drug developers “improve the efficiency and cost of biosimilar development.”  Specifically, Similis Bio will offer analytical and process development data that developers can use to “determine an appropriate biosimilar target, accelerate early…

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EMA Recommends Denying Marketing Authorization for Prestige BioPharma’s TUZNUE and HERVELOUS (trastuzumab) (UPDATE – 5/27/2022)

European Medicines Agency

On May 19, 2022, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued opinions recommending the refusal of marketing authorization for Prestige BioPharma Ltd.’s HD201, TUZNUE and its duplicate HERVELOUS, proposed trastuzumab biosimilars of Roche’s HERCEPTIN. TUZNUE and HERVELOUS are intended for the treatment of…

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Trial Scheduled for April 2024 in BMS Patent Case Against AstraZeneca Regarding Anti-PDL1 Antibodies

The District of Delaware has issued a scheduling order, setting a trial for April 2024, in Bristol Myers Squibb’s (BMS) patent case against AstraZeneca.  BMS filed its complaint against AstraZeneca on March 17, 2022, alleging infringement of eight patents related to anti-PD-L1 antibodies.  According to BMS, the case “relates to…

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Teva Receives Approval for First Ophthalmology Biosimilar in Europe

Earlier this week, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Teva) announced that the UK Medicines & Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved ONGAVIA, a ranibizumab biosimilar referencing Genentech’s LUCENTIS.  Ranibizumab inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is responsible for the excessive formation of blood vessels in the retina. The United Kingdom is…

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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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