Knopp suing Biogen over ALS biosamples
Knopp Biosciences LLC (Pittsburgh, Pa.) filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against partner Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) seeking the return of "invaluable" biosamples from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The company is also seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent Biogen Idec from using the samples in its own biomarker studies. The whole blood and blood plasma samples were collected as part of the Phase III EMPOWER trial, which was evaluating dexpramipexole to treat ALS. Biogen Idec has exclusive, worldwide rights from Knopp to develop and commercialize the compound under a 2010 deal.
In January, Biogen Idec discontinued development of dexpramipexole after top-line data from EMPOWER missed the primary endpoint. The company subsequently notified Knopp that it is terminating the 2010 deal (see BioCentury Extra, Jan. 3). ...