U.S. District Court Denies Roche Motion to Dismiss Amgen Patent Infringement Lawsuit
10.20.2006
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Court Will Proceed on the Merits of Amgen's Claim That Roche's peg-EPO Infringes Amgen's EPO Patents
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 20, 2006--Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) announced that a U.S. Federal District Court in Boston today denied Roche's motion to dismiss Amgen's patent infringement lawsuit against Roche. The court today also denied a motion by Ortho Biotech to intervene as a co-plaintiff in the case.
"The judicial process can now move forward towards resolution of the substantive issue of patent infringement and we look forward to addressing the merits of this case," said David Scott, Amgen's senior vice president, general counsel and secretary.
Amgen continues to believe that Roche's peg-EPO product violates Amgen's patents and does not provide any clinical or patient benefit over Amgen's innovative therapies, EPOGEN(R) (Epoetin alfa) and Aranesp(R) (darbepoetin alfa).
Amgen revolutionized anemia treatment with the introduction of EPOGEN. EPOGEN, along with Aranesp, represent over four million combined patient-years of experience. Amgen has continued to invest heavily in research to improve the lives of patients with kidney, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
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SOURCE: Amgen