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.

Biocad and Shanghai Pharma Holding Announce Joint Venture in China

Last month, Biocad and Shanghai Pharma Holding (SPH) announced that they have established a joint venture, SPH-Biocad, to commercialize Biocad’s biopharmaceutical portfolio in China. According to the companies’ press releases, SPH-Biocad will begin by commercializing six of Biocad’s biopharmaceutical products, including three biosimilars and three innovative biologics. According to SPH,…

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Filgrastim PTAB Update

As we previously reported, earlier this year Kashiv Biosciences filed two inter partes review (IPR) petitions challenging certain claims of Amgen’s U.S. Patent Nos. 8,940,878 and 9,643,997, which are directed to methods to purify proteins expressed in a non-native soluble form in a non-mammalian expression system.  Amgen is asserting the ’878 and…

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Amneal, Amgen, and Kashiv jointly stipulate to dismiss patent in filgrastim litigation

As we previously reported, Amgen filed a complaint against Adello Biologics and Amneal alleging infringement of several patents, including certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 8,952,138, directed to a protein refolding process. In their answer, Adello sought a declaratory judgment that certain claims of the ’138 patent were not infringed…

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Biosimilar Development Update: Mochida, Celltrion, Innovent, DRL, Fresenius

Below are some highlights of recent biosimilar development news from this week: On September 20, Mochida announced that it had obtained marketing approval in Japan for RGB-10, a biosimilar of FORTEO (teraparitide) that Mochida developed in Japan based on a comprehensive license and collaboration agreement with Gedeon Richter Plc.  Mochida…

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