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.

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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NeuClone Commences Human Dosing of Biosimilar Trastuzumab in Phase I Clinical Trial

Last week, NeuClone Ltd. announced it commenced its Phase I clinical trial for its biosimilar Herceptin® (trastuzumab).  According to NeuClone, the Phase I trial is a single-dose, randomized, three-arm double blind study of over 100 healthy volunteers, conducted under the Australian Clinical Trial Notification (CTN) scheme.  According to NeuClone, “[t]his…

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District Court Denies Johnson & Johnson’s Motion to Compel Arbitration in Remicade Antitrust Suit

We have covered Pfizer’s antitrust suit against Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of Remicade® (infliximab). Pfizer’s suit alleges that Johnson & Johnson excluded Pfizer’s infliximab biosimilar from the market through anticompetitive bundling and rebate penalties for insurers and providers, causing inflated prices. In related litigation, retailers Walgreen and Kroger Co., direct purchasers,…

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Goodwin’s Elaine Blais and Alex Valenti to host a Biosimilars Market Update Webinar

On November 6th, Goodwin’s Elaine Blais and Alex Valenti will be hosting a Biosimilars Market Update webinar, discussing key issues and recent legal and regulatory developments in the biosimilars space. Topics will include recent antitrust claims filed against biologic manufacturers, new strategies in BPCIA litigation, updates on legal developments affecting validity…

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Sandoz Obtains FDA Approval for Adalimumab Biosimilar

The FDA announced today that it has approved Sandoz’s biosimilar Hyrimoz (adalimumab-adaz). The FDA had previously approved adalimumab biosimilars from Amgen and Boehringer Ingelheim. Sandoz’s global settlement with AbbVie regarding Hyrimoz provides Sandoz with a U.S. entry date of September 30, 2023, whereas Amgen is permitted an earlier U.S. launch,…

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Federal Circuit Certifies AbbVie's Constitutional Challenge in Consolidated Adalimumab IPR Appeals to U.S. Attorney General

As we previously reported, currently pending before the Federal Circuit are consolidated appeals from five final written decisions of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (Board) in inter partes review (IPR) proceedings finding the claims of AbbVie’s U.S. Patent Nos. 8,889,135, 9,017,680, and 9,073,987 unpatentable for obviousness in view of…

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