Roche, Schering-Plough regulatory update

The Commissioner of Patents confirmed the patentability of the full scope of the previously issued claims for Roche's basic patent for alpha interferon (No. 4,503,035). The '035 patent covers homogeneous human alpha leukocyte interferon, a family of proteins that increase the resistance of cells to viral infection.

Challenges to the patent began in 1985 when the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began an investigation into the alpha interferon cross-licensing arrangements between Roche and Schering-Plough. ...