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The Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. § 262) created an abbreviated pathway for FDA approval of biological products determined to be “biosimilar” to a reference product. The Act outlines a patent resolution and information exchange scheme, with litigation safe harbors during this “patent dance.”

Subsection (l)(2)(A) provides that not later than 20 days after the application is accepted for review, “…the subsection (k) applicant – shall provide to the reference product sponsor a copy of the application…and other information that describes the processes used to manufacture the biological product…” Subsection (l)(8)(A) provides “[t]he subsection (k) applicant shall provide notice to the reference product sponsor not later than 180 days before the date of the first commercial marketing of the biological product licensed under subsection (k).”

In 2015, Sandoz filed a subsection (k) application based on Amgen’s filgrastim (Neupogen®), but refused to provide its (l)(2)(A) disclosure and claimed that pre-FDA approval notice satisfied (l)(8)(A). Amgen sued in federal court on state law claims of unfair competition and conversion, and patent infringement, and requested a preliminary injunction. The district court granted Sandoz’ motion for partial summary judgment, holding that (l)(2)(A) disclosure was optional and that Sandoz did not have to wait for FDA approval before providing (l)(8)(A) notice.

In a fractured opinion, the Federal Circuit affirmed on the (l)(2)(A) issue, holding that subsection (l)(9)(C) provided a remedy for the reference product sponsor to bring an immediate declaratory judgment action if the subsection (k) applicant failed to provide its (l)(2)(A) information, showing that disclosure was optional. The court reversed on the (l)(8)(A) issue, holding that notice before the FDA approved the subsection (k) application was ineffective under the statute. The Court granted certiorari on both issues.

This case presents intriguing questions of statutory interpretation, as the boundaries of the BCPIA are explored.

Featuring:

  • Mr. Andrew A. Hufford, Intellectual Property Attorney, Brinks Gilson & Lione