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.

Cadila Pharmaceuticals Launches Rituximab and Bevacizumab Biosimilars

BioSimilars Blog

On July 29, 2020, Cadila Pharmaceuticals announced its launch of Rituximab biosimilar Ritucad for the Indian market. Rituximab is used to treat certain types of blood cancers and rheumatoid arthritis. Ritucad was the Indian pharmaceutical company’s second biosimilar launch in July. On July 22, 2020, Cadila announced the launch of…

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Genentech v. JHL case schedule extended

As we previously reported, Genentech and JHL Biotech reached a settlement agreement resolving the parties’ lawsuit regarding JHL’s alleged misappropriation of trade secrets relating to Genentech’s Rituxan® (rituximab), Herceptin® (trastuzumab), Avastin® (bevacizumab), and Pulmozyme® (dornase alfa) products.  However, the case continued against the four former Genentech employees as individual defendants, although…

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Centus Biotherapeutics Receives Positive Opinion for EQUIDACENT (Bevacizumab Biosimilar) in Europe

On July 23, 2020, Centus Biotherapeutics received a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for EQUIDACENT, a biosimilar to AVASTIN (bevacizumab), intended for the treatment of carcinoma of the colon or rectum, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell cancer,…

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EYLEA (Aflibercept) Biosimilar Development Updates (Part 2)

Regeneron’s EYLEA (aflibercept) was approved by the U.S. FDA on November 18, 2011 and is indicated for the treatment of patients with Neovascular (Wet) Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Macular Edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). As previously reported, Momenta in collaboration with Mylan began…

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International Biosimilars Market Update

Yesterday, India-based Cadila Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of its bevacizumab biosimilar for the Indian market under the brand name BEVARO. Bevacizumab is a biosimilar of Genentech’s AVASTIN and is indicated for the treatment of multiple cancers, including ovarian cancer, glioblastoma multiforme, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, and…

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Biologic and Biosimilar Approval Updates

The U.S. FDA recently approved Genentech’s Phesgo™ for the treatment of early and metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, in combination with chemotherapy.  Phesgo™ is a fixed-dose combination of pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase, administered via subcutaneous injection. Fujifilm Kyowa Kirin Biologics recently announced that it received approval in Japan for its adalimumab…

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ALJ Recommends Exclusion in Botox Trade Secret Case

We previously reported on an International Trade Commission hearing in a trade secret dispute brought by Allergan and Medytox against Daewoong and Evolus.  In the underlying investigation, Allergan and Medytox seek to block importation of Jeuveau® (prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs), Evolus’s follow-on biologic to Allergan’s Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA injection).  A one-page public notice provides…

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