PDL BioPharma, Roche cancer, ophthalmic, inflammation news
PDL BioPharma said Roche's Genentech Inc. unit has paid the full sum of $73.8 million owed to PDL from 2Q10 sales of four antibody drug products: cancer drugs Avastin bevacizumab and Herceptin trastuzumab; ophthalmic drug Lucentis ranibizumab; and asthma drug Xolair omalizumab. Last month, Genentech asserted in a letter that the products do not infringe supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) covering PDL's royalty rights in Europe. PDL, which said Genentech's assertions were without merit, has requested a meeting with the company to resolve the situation.
PDL also disclosed that on Aug. 27 it filed a complaint in the Second Judicial District of Nevada, Washoe County, seeking declaratory judgment that Genentech is obligated to pay royalties on European sales of the products under the companies' 2003 settlement of an IP dispute. PDL told BioCentury that it has "no decision at this time" on plans to serve Genentech the complaint, and instead hopes to reach an "amicable" arrangement without having to do so. Genentech declined to comment. ...