Sanofi Loses Patent Case -- WSJ
06 January 2017 - 7:02PM
Dow Jones News
By Jonathan D. Rockoff
A U.S. federal judge ruled Thursday that drugmakers Sanofi SA
and partner Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. infringed the patent
that rival Amgen Inc. holds for its new cholesterol drug.
The decision permanently blocks Sanofi and Regeneron from
selling their drug Praluent in the U.S., which would provide a big
boost to Amgen's drug Repatha if the decision stands.
Both drugs were approved for sale in 2015 and belong to a new,
powerful class of cholesterol fighters known as PCSK9s. Their sales
have proved disappointing as health insurers have resisted paying
the high prices, though analysts expect the drugs will eventually
be big sellers.
RBC Capital Markets estimated peak annual sales for Repatha
could as much as double to $4 billion globally without competition
from its rival.
The injunction, issued by a judge from the U.S. District Court
in Delaware, takes effect 30 days from now, to give Sanofi and
Regeneron time to appeal or settle the case with Amgen.
Sanofi and Regeneron said they would appeal immediately.
"It is our longstanding position that Amgen's patent claims are
invalid and that the best interests of patients will be greatly
disserved by an injunction preventing access to Praluent," said
Karen Linehan, Sanofi's general counsel.
Amgen said it was pleased with the decision and will strive to
make a "smooth transition" for patients who choose to switch to its
drug.
"Protecting intellectual property is essential to our industry
as it reinforces the incentives for the large and risky investments
we make in innovation to bring forward new medicines to treat
serious diseases," said Amgen CEO Robert A. Bradway.
--Jonathan D. Rockoff
Write to Jonathan D. Rockoff at Jonathan.Rockoff@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 06, 2017 02:47 ET (07:47 GMT)
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