In a precedential opinion in Amgen Inc. et al. v. Sanofi, Aventisub LLC, et al., No. 20-1074 (Fed. Cir. 2021) issued on February 11, 2021, the Federal Circuit affirmed the decision of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware granting JMOL that Amgen’s Repatha® patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 8,829,165 and 8,859,741)
Caitlin M. Wilmot
Amgen Faces “Uphill Battle” in Defending Antibody Genus Patentability
On December 9, 2020, the Federal Circuit heard oral arguments on the validity of Amgen’s patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 8,829,165 and 8,859,741) on cholesterol-lowering drug Repatha. Specifically, the question came down to whether the patents, claiming a genus of antibodies by their functional properties, are enabled under 35 U.S.C § 112. The panel consisted of…
Big Pharma to Face Off at Federal Circuit Oral Arguments Over Antibody Genus Patentability
Mark your calendars – on December 9th, the Federal Circuit is slated to hear oral arguments as to whether two Amgen patents claiming a genus of antibodies meet the enablement requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 112. The court’s decision may have a considerable impact on antibody-based drug development and the scope of patent…
Federal Circuit Refuses to Reconsider Its Panel Decision Finding No Common Ownership of Immunex’s Enbrel Patents
Last week, the Federal Circuit denied Sandoz’s petition for an en banc rehearing of its precedential July 1st panel decision upholding two of Immunex’s patents covering Enbrel®.
As explained in the petition, Immunex was the first to make etanercept, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor fusion protein that is the active ingredient in Enbrel® (used…
Eli Lilly Files PGR Petition against Genentech’s IL-17A/F Heterodimer Patent
On April 2, 2019, Eli Lilly and Company (“Lilly”) filed a Petition for Post-Grant Review (“PGR”) of Genentech’s U.S. Patent 10,011,654 (“the ’654 patent”). The ’654 patent, entitled “Antibodies Directed to IL-17A/IL-17F Heterodimers,” has just seven claims, with independent claim 1 drawn to “[a]n isolated humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to an IL-17A-17F heterodimer comprising…
FDA Issues New Guidance on Biosimilar Development under the BPCIA
Last month, the FDA released four new guidance documents providing insight on the FDA’s interpretation of provisions of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (“BPCIA”), as it amends the Public Health Service Act (“PHS Act”) and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”), among other statutes. Two of the documents relate to the…
Third Time’s a Charm? Amgen Files Another BPCIA Lawsuit Against Apotex
Earlier this month, Amgen initiated suit against Apotex in the Middle District of Florida, alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,856,287 (“the ’287 patent”). This is the third complaint that Amgen has brought against Apotex under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (the “BPCIA”), based on Apotex’s abbreviated biologic license applications (“aBLAs”) for biosimilars…
PTAB Denies Sandoz’s IPR Petition for Humira®-Related Patent
Earlier this month, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB” or “the Board”) denied institution of Sandoz’s petition for inter partes review of Abbvie’s patent, U.S. Patent No. 9,512,216 (“the ’216 patent”), directed to methods for treating moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis with a human anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) antibody.[1] The petition,…
Global Approvals for Insulin Glargine Promise a More Affordable, Long-Acting Treatment for Diabetes
Last week, Mylan N.V. and Biocon Ltd. announced that their jointly-developed insulin glargine biosimilar, Semglee™, received marketing approval from both the European Commission (which applies to all 28 European Union member states) and the European Economic Area member states of Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.[1] Additionally, the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the biosimilar for use…
Lupin’s Generic Version of Tamiflu® Joins the Band of Flu Fighters
Mumbai-based pharmaceutical manufacturer Lupin recently received FDA approval for its generic version of Roche’s Tamiflu® (oseltamivir phosphate), one of the most popular antivirals prescribed for relief from the influenza virus. The active ingredient is indicated for the treatment of acute, uncomplicated influenza A and B in patients two weeks of age or older who have…