• where experts go to learn about FDA
  • Sara W. Koblitz

    • Ding Dong is the Skinny Label (Effectively) Dead?September 7th, 2021

      Innovators rejoice while generic sponsors mourn: In the wake of the latest in GSK v. Teva decision, the skinny label may be dead. The “skinny label,” also known as a “carve-out” or a “section viii statement,” is a widely-used statutory provision adopted in the Hatch Waxman …

    • It’s PANDA-monium at FDAAugust 17th, 2021

      Meet the newest category of drug applications: the PANDA.  A PANDA, or the Pre-Hatch-Waxman Abbreviated New Drug Application, refers to abbreviated drug applications submitted and approved under sections 505(b) and 505(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) prior to the enactment of …

    • The Code is Cracked: Interchangeable Biologics are HereAugust 13th, 2021

      About two weeks ago, FDA made an exciting announcement (and it remains exciting even if we’re late posting about it): FDA approved the first interchangeable biosimilar.  On July 30, 2021, FDA approved Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn), an insulin product that relies on Lantus (insulin glargine) as …

    • FDA Announces It Will Now Regulate Devices as DevicesAugust 10th, 2021

      On the heels of Genus Medical Technologies’ successful lawsuit against FDA—Genus was represented by Hyman, Phelps & McNamara PC—in both the District Court of D.C. and the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, FDA published a Federal Register Notice today (August 9) soliciting comments …

    • Can a CRL Be Final Agency Action: One Step Closer to Finding OutJuly 6th, 2021

      FDA has long taken the position that a Complete Response Letter (“CRL”)—a letter sent when FDA has determined that it “cannot approve” a New Drug Application (“NDA”) or an Abbreviated New Drug Application (“ANDA”) “in its present form”—is not a final agency action and thereby …

    • FDA Flips It and Reverses It: FDA Withdraws HHS Withdrawal of UDI GuidanceJune 9th, 2021

      While typically, FDA is responsible for setting forth its own agenda and enforcing compliance with its own regulations, the Trump Administration’s HHS, on its way out the door in late 2020, took the unusual steps of withdrawing an important FDA Compliance Policy Guide, “Marketed Unapproved …

    • The Fifth Circuit Addresses Pay-for-Delay Agreements: Money for Nothing (and Patent Settlements for Free?)April 26th, 2021

      So-called “Pay-for-Delay” settlements, also called Reverse Payment, settlements—in which an innovator sponsor pays a generic sponsor to settle ongoing patent infringement litigation in exchange for a delay in generic market entry—have been fodder for antitrust concerns for decades (see, for example, our coverage from 2013).  …

    • Big Win for HP&M Client: Court of Appeals Tells FDA to Regulate Barium Sulfate As a DeviceApril 19th, 2021

      We have blogged recently about several FDA setbacks in court (here, for example).  Add one more to that tally.  Genus Medical Technologies secured an important victory in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday. In Genus Medical Technologies v. FDA, the Court of Appeals ruled …

    • Bills, Bills, Bills: Congress Advances Bills to Address Drug CompetitionApril 2nd, 2021

      There’s no question that drug pricing is one of the most important issues in health care right now, and while such pricing considerations are outside FDA’s statutory mandate, it has not stopped FDA from trying to address pricing issues through enhancing drug competition (see, for …

    • When Is Skinny Not Skinny Enough?March 17th, 2021

      Perhaps when you’re carving out a patented method of use?  Well, at least that’s what GSK is arguing.  As the now-infamous GSK v. Teva case makes its way through the Federal Circuit once again to address what many have called the death-knell to skinny-labeling (also …

    • Orange Book Modernization Act: Congress Largely Codifies FDA’s Existing Orange Book Practices, But Also Brings PTAB Decisions Into the FoldJanuary 14th, 2021

      Those of you keeping up with the Orange Book know that FDA has been considering changes to patent listing requirements, many of which industry has been requesting for decades.  Now, Congress is trying to facilitate effective administration of the Orange Book.  On January 5, 2021, …

    • The More You Know: FDA Provides Additional Guidance on BiosimilarsDecember 16th, 2020

      Biosimilars have been around for a bit over 10 years now, and there has been tremendous progress in licensing new biosimilar products.  But there is no question that there are still significant holes that FDA must address to further facilitate biosimilar development under section 351(k) …

    • Federal Circuit Limits Venue in Hatch Waxman Patent LitigationDecember 9th, 2020

      The FDA Law Blog may appear to have become a little patent-heavy over the last few months, but you can thank the Federal Circuit for that.  It just can’t stop changing the landscape for Hatch-Waxman litigation.  In October, the Federal Circuit, for all intents and …

    • Not-So-Public Material Threat Determinations: If an Incentive Falls in a Forest . . .November 10th, 2020

      The Priority Review Voucher (“PRV”) program is a powerful incentive to encourage sponsors to develop treatments for conditions that are not ordinarily priorities for industry, such as infectious diseases for which there is no significant market in developed nations (tropical disease) or rare pediatric diseases.  …

    • Makin’ Copies: FDA Revises RLD and RS GuidanceNovember 2nd, 2020

      Identification of and comparison to a Reference Listed Drug (“RLD”) and Reference Standards (“RS”) are the lynchpin of generic drug development and approval.  It’s therefore no surprise that, upon significantly updating the Orange Book in January 2017, FDA dedicated an entire guidance to fundamental definitions …