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.

Former Genentech Employees Accused of Stealing Biologic Manufacturing Process Trade Secrets

On October 25, 2018, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California filed an indictment against four individuals (three of whom were former Genentech employees) alleging theft of trade secrets, computer fraud and abuse, and other crimes.  The indictment alleges that the defendants stole trade secrets related to Genentech’s products…

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Coherus Plans to Launch UDENYCA (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) in U.S. in January at 33% Discount

On November 8, 2018, on its quarterly earnings call for Q3 2018 (transcript available here), Coherus BioSciences provided updates regarding its commercial launch plans for its recently approved Udenyca™ (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) biosimilar product.  President, CEO and Chairman Denny Lefler told financial analysts on the call that Udenyca™ will be available for…

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Coherus Files Responsive Appellate Brief in Amgen v. Coherus (pegfilgrastim)

As we previously reported, Amgen is appealing the District Court’s decision to dismiss, with prejudice, Amgen’s patent infringement complaint against Coherus regarding its (recently approved) biosimilar of Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim). Amgen filed its opening brief on August 20, challenging the district court’s dismissal of the suit. On October 31, 2018, Coherus filed…

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Genentech Settles Rituximab Patent Dispute with Celltrion and Teva

On November 1, 2018, Genentech and its co-plaintiffs dismissed the lawsuits they brought against Celltrion and Teva under the BPCIA in the District of New Jersey, in which the plaintiffs alleged that Celltrion’s filing of an aBLA relating to Truxima®, Celltrion’s proposed biosimilar to Rituxan® (rituximab), infringed certain patents.  The…

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AbbVie Grants Momenta Global Patent Licenses for Biosimilar of HUMIRA (Adalimumab)

Today, AbbVie and Momenta announced that they have entered into an agreement under which AbbVie has granted Momenta a global, royalty-bearing non-exclusive license to AbbVie’s intellectual property relating to Humira® (adalimumab).  According to the press releases, the deal authorizes Momenta to launch its adalimumab biosimilar, M923, in the United States…

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FDA Approves Second Pegfilgrastim Biosimilar, a First for Coherus

Today, Coherus BioSciences announced that the U.S. FDA has approved Udenyca™ (pegfilgrastim-cbqv), its biosimilar of Amgen’s Neulasta®, for patients with cancer receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy.  Udenyca™, which received marketing authorization in Europe in September, is Coherus’ first biosimilar to obtain approval in the United States.  Udenyca™ is the fourteenth biosimilar to…

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Amgen, Sandoz, Samsung, and Mylan Launch Biosimilars in Europe (UPDATED)

Amgen, Sandoz, Samsung and Mylan all launched adalimumab biosimilars in Europe this past October.  On October 16, 2018, Amgen has announced that its adalimumab biosimilar AMGEVITA launched in European markets.  This is Amgen’s first “inflammation” biosimilar to launch in Europe, and its second biosimilar to launch in Europe overall.  According to…

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