19 May 2017Americas

AbbVie Humira patent invalidated by PTAB

AbbVie has lost in an inter partes review (IPR) of its rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira (adalimumab).

AbbVie’s patent, which was invalidated on Wednesday, May 17 by the US Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), was challenged by biotech company Coherus Biosciences.

The patent was US number 8,889,135, titled “Methods of administering anti-TNFα antibodies”.

Denny Lanfear, CEO of Coherus,  said: “We are pleased that the PTAB has decided to invalidate all claims of the ‘135 patent.”

He added: “While more remains to be done, this is a significant step forward to lowering drug costs for patients and healthcare providers in the US system.

“This case unmistakably demonstrates the value of the IPR process and the need to preserve the IPR process to enable review of patents that may inappropriately extend market exclusivity and prevent needed competition.”

According to a  press release by Coherus, the patent was directed to a method for treating rheumatoid arthritis by administering 40mg of Humira subcutaneously every 13 to 15 days.

In 2016 alone, Humira sold over $16 billion globally, amounting to over 60% of AbbVie’s total net revenue.

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More on this story

Big Pharma
22 March 2021   For smaller companies and universities, deciding where to validate a pharma patent can be difficult. Sarah Kostiuk-Smith of Mewburn Ellis looks at the options within the European Patent Convention countries.
Americas
21 January 2021   The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has affirmed a decision by the US Patent Trial and Appeal Board which centered on the validity of a patent for an ophthalmic illuminator.
Generics
10 March 2022   AbbVie and Icelandic biosimilar company Alvotech have settled all US litigation over Alvotech’s proposed generic of AbbVie’s blockbuster arthritis treatment Humira (adalimumab).