Amgen Says Infection Drug Patent Dispute Settled in its Favor

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Amgen Inc. said on late Friday that it had won a judgment and permanent injunction that has delayed the plans of an Israeli generic drug maker to sell an infection-fighting treatment that competes with two of its biggest money makers.

The Thousand Oak biotech said that a U.S. District Court judge in Pennsylvania ruled that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. cannot sell its Neutroval product for more than two years.

The court found that the drug infringed on patents for Neopogen and Neulasta, which boost white blood cell growth to fight infections and generated $3.6 billion in U.S. sales last year, about a quarter of the Amgen’s total revenue.

“We are very pleased with this outcome, as it reaffirms the validity of these important patents,” said Amgen General Counsel David J. Scott in a statement. “This closes this matter and allows Amgen to continue to focus on bringing innovative therapies to patients with grievous illnesses.”

Teva, based in suburban Tel Aviv, makes generic drugs, and already sells a close copy of Neupogen in Europe under the name TevaGrastim. It will now have to wait until November 2013 to sell Neutroval in the U.S.

Amgen shares earlier closed down 63 cents, or 1 percent, to $55.05 on the Nasdaq.

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