Genentech hits Eli Lilly with skin treatment claim

Biotechnology company Genentech has filed a claim against Eli Lilly, alleging that it has infringed a patent relating to a skin treatment.

Genentech filed the suit at the US District Court for the Southern District of California on Monday, July 2.

The case involves Eli Lilly’s Taltz (ixekizumab) product, a prescription injection used to treat psoriatic arthritis and moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults.

According to Genentech, Taltz infringes its invention “Antibodies directed to IL-17A/IL-17F heterodimers” (US patent number 10,011,654). The patent’s claims involve humanised monoclonal antibodies that bind to an IL-17A/F heterodimer—a type of protein.

The ‘654 patent was issued yesterday, July 3.

Genentech said that the active ingredient in Taltz is ixekizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody that it claimed binds to an IL-17A/F heterodimer.

According to Genentech, Eli Lilly is developing the drug without a licence or authorisation.

The claim said that Genentech notified Eli Lilly in June that the ‘654 patent would be issued the following month. However, it also said that Eli Lilly rejected an offer to license the patent at a royalty rate to be determined by arbitration.

“Lilly knows of the ‘654 patent, Genentech’s infringement allegations, and the evidence of infringement represented by its own admissions,” the claim said.

“Thus, any subsequent manufacture, use, import, offer for sale, and/or sale of Taltz is wilful.”

Genentech is requesting damages for the allegedly infringing activity.

Did you enjoy reading this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox.