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.

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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BREAKING NEWS: Genentech and Amgen Settle HERCEPTIN and AVASTIN Biosimilar Disputes

Today, Genentech and Amgen jointly filed stipulations in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware dismissing their BPCIA litigations concerning Amgen’s biosimilars of Genentech’s HERCEPTIN (trastuzumab) and AVASTIN (bevacizumab) oncology products. According to each court submission, the parties entered into a settlement agreement and mutually agreed to voluntarily…

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FDA Approves Mylan’s Biosimilar of HUMIRA (Adalimumab)

On July 6, 2020, the U.S. FDA approved Mylan’s aBLA for HULIO (adalimumab-fkjp), a biosimilar of AbbVie’s HUMIRA. HULIO is indicated for treating certain patients with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, adult Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and plaque psoriasis. HUMIRA, in contrast, is additionally approved for…

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BREAKING NEWS: Federal Circuit Denies Genentech’s Appeal to Block Sales of Amgen’s MVASI (bevacizumab-awwb)

Today, in the Genentech v. Amgen BPCIA litigation concerning Amgen’s MVASI (bevacizumab-awwb) biosimilar product, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued an opinion affirming the district court’s denial of Genentech’s motions to enjoin sales of MVASI in the United States.  MVASI is an FDA-approved biosimilar of Genentech’s…

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Divided Federal Circuit Affirms Result in Immunex v. Sandoz Etanercept Litigation

We previously reported on the decision by the District of New Jersey (Cecchi, J.) to uphold the validity of U.S. Patent No. 8,063,182, related to “the fusion protein etanercept, the active ingredient in Immunex’s product ENBREL” and U.S. Patent No. 8,163,522, related to ENBREL’s method of manufacture.  As we reported…

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