Battling betas

Amgen Inc.'s attempt to block Transkaryotic Therapies Inc.'s development of erythropoietin recalls Berlex Laboratories' attempt to block marketing of Biogen Inc.'s Avonex beta interferon (see BioCentury, April 29, 1996).

Berlex sued to prevent Avonex from reaching the market on the grounds that its Betaseron, which had first approval for multiple sclerosis, had Orphan Drug status and the products were essentially the same. ...