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.

New Phase I Clinical Trials for Two Proposed Ustekinumab Biosimilars

gloved hand withdraws drug solution with syringe

Over the last two weeks, NeuClone and Formycon announced updates regarding their respective ustekinumab biosimilars (reference product, Stelara). On October 17, 2019, NeuClone announced that it has launched a Phase I clinical trial of its ustekinumab product, NeuLara.  NeuClone stated that the Phase I clinical trial is a “single-dose, double-blind, randomised,…

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WHO and IGBA Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (IGBA) to promote access to generics and biosimilars.  According to the WHO press release, the memorandum underscores “the importance of generic and biosimilar medicines to increasing access…

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Briefing completed in trastuzumab IPR appeals

On October 15, 2019, Genentech filed reply briefs in support of its Federal Circuit appeals from the PTAB’s final written decisions of unpatentability of the challenged claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,846,441 and 7,892,549, which are directed to methods of treating HER2+ cancer with trastuzumab (Cases Nos. 19-1263, 19-1265, 19-1267…

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Tanvex receives Complete Response Letter from FDA for its Proposed Filgrastim Biosimilar Product

On September 25, 2019, Tanvex BioPharma announced that it received a complete response letter from the U.S. FDA indicating that Tanvex’s abbreviated Biologics License Application (aBLA) for its proposed filgrastim biosimilar, TX01, was not in condition for approval. Tanvex reported that FDA “did not request additional clinical data or express…

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