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.

Junshi Biosciences to Study JS016, a Novel Coronavirus Neutralizing Antibody Product Candidate

In its second quarter earnings release, Junshi Biosciences announced that its product candidate JS016 was approved to conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial in China. The trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the tolerability and safety of single-dose intravenous infusion of JS106 in healthy subjects. According to…

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Bio-Thera Solutions and BeiGene Announce Agreement for the Rights to Bio-Thera’s Avastin Biosimilar BAT1706 in China

Last week, BeiGene and Bio-Thera Solutions announced that the companies had entered into a license, distribution, and supply agreement for BAT1706, Biothera’s Avastin® (bevacizumab) biosimilar, in China.  According to the announcement, Bio-Thera has agreed to grant BeiGene the right to develop, manufacture, and commercialize BAT1706 in China, Hong Kong, Macau,…

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Mylan and Biocon Announce U.S. Launch of Insulin Glargine Biosimilar

gloved hand withdraws drug solution with syringe

We previously reported FDA approval of Mylan and Biocon’s NDA for SEMGLEE (insulin glargine injection).  Today, Mylan and Biocon announced the launch of SEMGLEE for the U.S. market.  SEMGLEE is a biosimilar of LANTUS, Sanofi’s long-acting insulin glargine product.  SEMGLEE will be available in vials and pre-filled pens.  The lead…

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Cadila Pharmaceuticals Announces Launch of Fourth Biosimilar in Two Months

Today, Cadila Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of its adalimumab biosimilar, Cadalimab™, in India. HUMIRA® (adalimumab) is approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis. Cadila’s press release noted that “[i]n an effort to strengthen their biosimilar product portfolio, Cadalimab™ is the fourth biosimilar launched in the last…

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Lupin, Mylan Launch Etanercept Biosimilar in Germany

Yesterday, Lupin announced the German launch of its etanercept biosimilar, Nepexto, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, as well as all other approved indications of the reference product Enbrel®. Lupin, in association with Mylan will release its etanercept product as an injectable in an easy-to-use pre-filled pen and a pre-filled…

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Coherus Neulasta biosimilar loses preferred status at Express Scripts

Last week it was announced that Coherus BioSciences’s pegfilgrastim biosimilar Udencya would be excluded from Express Scripts’s preferred formulary starting January 1, 2021. The pharmacy benefit manager’s preferred Neulasta biosimilars for next year are Mylan’s Fulphila and Sandoz’s Ziextenzo.

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Johnson & Johnson Announces Acquisition of Momenta For $6.5 Billion

Johnson and Johnson announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for $6.5 billion.  The acquisition gives J&J’s Janssen unit full global rights to Momenta’s nipocalimab (M281), an anti-FcRn antibody designed to treat a number of autoantibody-driven disorders, including generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), warm autoimmune…

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Global Biosimilars Approval and Launch Updates

Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. announced on August 14, 2020 the approval of its trastuzumab biosimilar HLX02 by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA).  This same product was approved by the European Commission on July 27th.  According to the press release, this is the the first China-developed mAb biosimilar to be…

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