Appeals court hears PCSK9 patent case

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) heard oral arguments Tuesday in patent litigation over competing PCSK9 inhibitors. Sanofi (Euronext:SAN; NYSE:SNY) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN) are appealing a March 2016 ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware that their Praluent alirocumab infringes on patents held by Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) for Repatha evolocumab. The case could have broad implications for antibody developers.

A district court judge later granted Amgen a permanent injunction blocking U.S. sales of Praluent, but CAFC has granted a motion to stay the injuction (see BioCentury Extra, Feb. 8 & BioCentury, Feb. 3)...