Amgen Resolves Roche Patent Dispute

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Amgen Inc. said late Tuesday that a U.S. district court issued a final injunction that bars Swiss drug maker Roche Group from selling its anemia drug Mircera in the United States until 2014. The ruling brings to an end a five-year patent infringement dispute.

The Boston court ruled Mircera infringes on five patents underlying Amgen’s flagship anemia drugs, Aranesp and Epogen, which use a genetically engineered protein to stimulate the production of red blood cells. The patents cover critical steps in the production of the protein, called erythropoietin.

The settlement terms did not include any financial payments between the parties, but the Thousand Oaks company said it will allow Roche to start selling Mircera in mid-2014 through a limited license agreement.

Aranesp revenue has fallen in the last two years due to safety concerns that led to stronger label warnings. In the third quarter, Amgen reported worldwide sales of $685 million. Epogen, an older, shorter-lasting version of the drug, has U.S. sales of $663 million during the quarter.

Prior to the announcement, Amgen shares closed up 49 cents, or less than 1 percent to $57.22.

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