Amgen vs. Sandoz: Legal Battle Erupts Over Bone-Strengthening Drug Patents

Amgen Inc AMGN has reportedly sued Novartis AG's NVS Generic arm Sandoz on proposed versions of its bone-strengthening drugs Prolia and Xgeva containing denosumab, infringing several patents.

Amgen said the proposed biosimilars infringe 21 patents covering Prolia and Xgeva.

Also Read: Amgen Faces Lawsuit For Hiding Its Stupendous Tax Bill Of $10B.

Prolia is indicated for a high risk of bone fracture in certain settings, for example, osteoporosis. XGEVA is prescribed to prevent skeletal-related events (e.g., fractures or spinal cord compression) in cancer patients whose cancer has spread to the bone and treat certain types of tumors. 

Amgen has asked the New Jersey federal court to block Sandoz's biosimilars of the drugs until its patents expire Reuters reported. One of the patents named in the complaint does not expire until 2037.

Novartis is preparing to spin off Sandoz into a standalone company later this year.

In February, the FDA accepted Sandoz's application proposed biosimilar denosumab.

The application includes all indications covered by the reference medicines Prolia and Xgeva.

Price Action: AMGN shares are down 1.26% at $233.00 during the premarket session on the last check Wednesday.