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.

ASH Presentations Show Benefits of Biosimilar Pegfilgrastim Over On-Body Injector

Investigators presented two studies on Monday at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition (ASH) showing the potential for significant cost-savings by switching to biosimilar pegfilgrastim from the pegfilgrastim on-body injector (PEG-OBI). In one study, investigators demonstrated a potential for savings from a conversion to several biosimilar filgrastim…

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Biosimilar Market Updates: Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, and Alvotech

Samsung Biologics’ third quarter report disclosed that it had suspended its research and development of its SAIT101, a biosimilar of Rituxan.  As we previously reported, the rituximab product was being developed through Archigen Biotech, a joint venture with AstraZeneca.  According to a report in Korea Biomedical Review, a Samsung Biologics…

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FDA Accepts Application From Samsung Bioepis and Biogen For Lucentis® (ranibizumab) Biosimilar

Samsung Bioepis and Biogen issued a press release on November 18 announcing that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for review their Biologics License Application for SB11, a proposed biosimilar of Lucentis® (ranibizumab). Ranibizumab is an anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapy used to treat retinal vascular disorders,…

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Survey of U.S. Rheumatologists Suggests Acceptance of Biosimilars for Treatment of New Patients, but Reluctance to Switch Patients from Reference Products

The results of a survey of board-certified rheumatologists in the United States about their beliefs and knowledge regarding biosimilar products were recently published in the journal Rheumatology. The online survey was conducted in May 2019 and included 19 multiple-choice questions assessing respondents’ knowledge of concepts and terminology concerning biosimilars, availability…

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