BIO, Biologics, and Biosimilars
The 2017 BIO International Convention began earlier this week, but there are still many sessions and forums still to come. Patent Docs has been highlighting a few sessions or other opportunities, in thematic fashion, to help you navigate your way through the convention. For example, today, we focus on sessions that will address the use of therapeutic biologics and the introduction of biosimilars. Of course, Patent Docs authors and contributors will be present at BIO as part of the MBHB contingent, and Patent Docs readers are encouraged to stop by the MBHB booth (#1728) to discuss these sessions (or whatever other topic is of interest to you).
One topic that is of particular interest to readers of this blog is that of the BPCIA and the introduction of biosimilars in the U.S. marketplace. To address that interest, the Intellectual Property track will include a panel entitled "Biosimilars IP Litigation: Where We've Been and Where We're Heading," on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 3:00 PM. Of course, the panel did not know the outcome of the Sandoz v. Amgen Supreme Court case when the description was written. Nevertheless, litigation strategies that are likely to be implemented as a result of this case will certainly be discussed. The panel promises to provide general guidance, general strategies, and general lessons learned from both sides of the issue. Importantly, the various categories of patent claims being litigated will be discussed. The panel will include the Hon. Faith Hochberg, United States District Judge (retired), and currently of Judge Hochberg ADR; Dr. Chuck Sholtz, Ph.D., Vice President, Intellectual Property at Coherus Biosciences; and Wendy Whiteford, Esq, BS, Vice President of Law at Amgen. The session will be moderated by Mr. Bob Ramos, JD, MS, Partner at Procopio.
There are, of course, topics outside of the Intellectual Property track dealing with the introduction and utilization of biologics. For example, the Oncology Track will feature a session entitled "Immune-Oncology Drugs: Ready for First Line Therapy?" on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 10:15 AM. As the description points out, immune checkpoint inhibitors, such a Keytruda and Opdivo, have had remarkable success in the clinic. The panel promises to look to whether the new immune-oncology ("IO") drugs are likely to supplant tumoricidal drugs and radiation as the first-line therapy for cancers. The panel will address other questions such as: Are IO drugs affordable? Do biomarkers exist to identify and monitor patients? Can IO drugs be combined with other IO or tumoricidal drugs to achieve maximum efficacy? And, can the side effects be minimized? The speakers on the panel will be Dr. Kaan Certal, Ph.D., head of external innovation, oncology for Sanofi U.S.; Dr. Norman Greenberg, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer for Atreca, Inc.; Kinney Horn, Director of Business Development at Genentech Inc.; and Tim Reilly, Vice President and Head of Oncology Early Asset Development at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. The session will be moderated by Dr. Tauseef Butt, Ph.D., President and CEO of Progenra Inc.
One of the last events to address the issue of therapeutic biologics, among other things topics, will be The Scientific American WorldVIEW Super Session: Wrapping Up and Looking Forward, on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 1:00 PM. This session will include explore the multiplicity of issues raised during the week at BIO, and will create a snapshot of future trends. The panel will also tackle the latest commercial, scientific, and ethical issues facing innovation stakeholders, both today and for the year ahead. This is the 9th year that this Super Session will examine global life science innovation. The panel will include, Lawrence Bloch, MD, JD, President of Infinity Pharmaceuticals; Donald Jones, Chief Digital Officer at Scripps Translational Science Institute; Dr. Kenneth Kizer, MD, MPH, Director at the Institute for Population Health Improvement, UC Davis Health; John Mendlein, Ph.D., JD, CEO and Director at aTYR Pharma; and Susan Peschin, MHS, President and CEO for Alliance for Aging Research. This session will be moderated by Andrew Marshall, Chief Editor at Nature Biotechnology.
We hope you have been, and will continue enjoying BIO 2017 for the upcoming few days.
