Rothwell Figg’s Biologics and Biosimilars Group has the experience and the technical knowledge required to develop a successful IP strategy for the most sophisticated biologic and biosimilar matters including issues related to regulatory approval, securing patent rights, counseling and opinions, post-grant challenges, and asserting or defending against patents in litigation.

Our clients benefit from the depth and breadth of our 30-plus year of experience in complex biotech areas including gene cloning/genetic engineering, monoclonal antibodies, chimeric/humanized antibodies, proteomics, recombinant DNA, siRNA, viral replications, receptor technology and cell signaling, molecular diagnostics and other research tools. We have extensive experience litigating in life sciences. Our attorneys are also experienced in litigation involving the FDA under the APA, and all other areas of IP litigation. We also have extensive experience with post-grant proceedings, counseling and opinions, and patent prosecution, including international involvement. In addition, many of our lawyers have first-hand industry experience, and many have advanced degrees in areas such as microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, bioinformatics, chemistry, biotechnology, pharmacy, biology, zoology and other scientific fields.

The Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (“BPCIA”) established an abbreviated pathway for licensure of biological products determined by FDA to be biosimilar or interchangeable with an FDA-approved reference product. The FDA defines a biosimilar as a biological product that is shown to be highly similar to the reference product for which there are no clinically meaningful differences between the biological product and the reference product in terms of the safety, purity, and potency of the product. To be considered interchangeable, product must be biosimilar to the reference product and must also meet additional requirements demonstrating that the product is expected to produce the same clinical results as the reference product in any given patient.

Although the goal of the BPCIA is conceptually similar to that of Hatch-Waxman, biosimilars are not generic version of the reference product. Biologics are much larger and much more complex that small molecule pharmaceuticals, and we understand the manufacturing, regulatory and legal requirements for biologics and biosimilars.