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.

International Biosimilar Market Updates

Stelis Biopharma Receives Positive Recommendation for FORSTEO Biosimilar in Europe On November 14, Stelis Biopharma Limited (Stelis), the biologics arm of Strides Pharma Science Limited, announced that its first biosimilar product KAULIV received a positive recommendation from European Medicines Agency (EMA) for granting market authorization.  KAULIV is a biosimilar referencing…

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Organon Launches HERCEPTIN and AVASTIN Biosimilars in Canada

Organon, a global woman’s health company, recently announced its launch of two biosimilar products in Canada. On November 7, Organon announced the launch and availability of AYBINTIO in Canada.  AYBINTIO is a biosimilar product referencing AVASTIN (bevacizumab) and is approved for adults with certain aggressive forms of cancers, including metastatic…

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China Approves World’s First Denosumab Biosimilar

Luye Pharma Group announced last week that China’s National Medical Products Administration has approved a marketing launch of BOYOBEI® for treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk of fractures.  Luye Pharma Group, in conjunction with its subsidiary Boan Biotech, is now the first company in the world to receive…

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STADA and Xbrane Announce Approval of Ranibizumab Biosimilar in Europe

On November 11, 2022, STADA Arzneimittel AG (“STADA”) and Xbrane Biopharma AB (“Xbrane”) announced that the European Commission has granted a marketing authorization for XIMLUCI (ranibizumab), a biosimilar to Genentech’s LUCENTIS. XIMLUCI is an anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) for the treatment of retinal vascular disorders and has been approved…

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PTAB Issues Final Written Decisions Finding Claims of Regeneron’s Aflibercept Patents Invalid

On November 9, 2022, the PTAB issued final written decisions in IPR2021-00880 and IPR2021-00881, filed by Mylan on two Regeneron patents related to aflibercept—U.S. Patent Nos. 9,254,338 and 9,669,069.  The PTAB ruled in Mylan’s favor in both IPRs, holding all challenged claims of both patents invalid as anticipated by the same…

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PTAB Grants Petitioner Celltrion’s Motion To Submit Supplemental Information in Tocilizumab IPR

The U.S. Patent Trials & Appeals Board (Board) recently issued an Order granting Celltrion’s motion to submit supplemental information in its IPR (2022-00578) against U.S. Pat. No. 8,580,264, owned by Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisa, Genentech, Inc, and Hoffmann La Roche, Inc. As we previously reported, this is one of two…

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Request for Comments on USPTO-FDA Collaboration Initiatives to Promote Generic Drug and Biosimilar Competition

On November 7, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a request for comments on areas for USPTO-FDA collaboration and engagement. The USPTO also announced a related public listening session to be held on Thursday, January 19, 2023. As we have previously reported, President Biden issued an Executive Order…

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Similis Bio and Blau Farmaceutica Enter into Development and License Agreement for Biosimilars

On October 25, 2022, JSR Life Sciences and Blau Farmaceutica announced that Similis Bio, JSR Life Sciences’s business unit focused on biosimilar development, has signed its first development and license agreement with Blau Farmaceutica, a Brazilian pharmaceutical company. According to the press release, the agreement contemplates a multi-product and multi-year…

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Mylan Files IPR on Regeneron Aflibercept Patent

Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. recently filed an IPR petition, PTAB-IPR2023-00099, seeking cancellation of claims 1-3 of U.S. Patent No. 10,857,205, assigned to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  According to the petition, the claims “are drawn to monthly dosing [of aflibercept] to treat an angiogenic eye disorder.”  The Petition sets forth three anticipation grounds and…

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