U.K. court invalidates European Herceptin patents
The Chancery Division of England's High Court of Justice invalidated two European patents covering breast cancer drug Herceptin trastuzumab from Roche (SIX:ROG; OCTQX:RHHBY) and its Genentech Inc. unit. Hospira Inc. (NYSE:HSP), which is developing a biosimilar of Herceptin, was challenging the validity of the patents; Genentech declined to disclose when the patents would expire. Hospira did not challenge the underlying patent covering Herceptin because the company said it plans to launch its biosimilar in the EU after July 28, which is when the underlying patent loses exclusivity. Hospira did not disclose a development status or launch timeline.
Herceptin had 2013 European sales of CHF2.2 billion ($2.7 billion). Genentech said it is reviewing the decision to determine next steps. ...