Biogen Idec is Suing other MS Drug Makers

Biogen Idec is suing the makers of multiple sclerosis drugs that, like its own Avonex treatment, are forms of beta interferon.

The biotech claims in a suit filed Friday that drugs sold by companies including Pfizer, Bayer AG and Novartis violate a patent on the use of beta interferon granted last fall, Dow Jones Newswires reports. (A Bayer spokeswoman said the company will defend itself against the suit; a Novartis spokesman had no comment, and Pfizer officials couldn’t immediately be reached for comment, DJN says.)

Biogen doesn’t want the other products — sold as Rebif, Betaseron and Extavia — yanked from the market, but is seeking damages including lost profits from earlier sales and a royalty on sales. A Bayer lawsuit filed last Thursday says Biogen is seeking as much as 8.5% of Betaseron sales, Bloomberg News reports.

Betaseron had about $1.4 billion in sales last year, Rebif had $1.9 billion and Extavia, new to the U.S. market in 2009, posted sales of $49 million, DJN says. Avonex leads the category, with $2.3 billion in 2009 sales.

Beta interferon treatments can cost north of $25,000 a year, DJN says, and the side effects include flu-like symptoms. Earlier this year, researchers reported progress on a test that might help pinpoint MS patients who’d benefit from the treatments.

Source: The Wall Street Journal