Novartis told to pay $178m over infringing cancer drug
A California jury has ordered Novartis to pay $178 million to rival drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo for willfully infringing two cancer drug patents.
Novartis was unable to convince the jury that the two patents, owned by Daichhi’s Plexxikon unit, were invalid. The case centred around Novartis’ Tafinlar (dabrafenib), a type of chemotherapy drug known as a BRAF inhibitor. Novartis bought the blockbuster treatment from GSK in 2014.
In addition to the damages award, which covers past infringement, Plexxikon will also be entitled to a share of royalties earned on sales of Taniflar while the patents are valid. Novartis may still appeal the decision to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circui t.
“We are delighted with the jury’s verdict which validates Plexxikon’s pioneering role in the field of BRAF inhibitors and enables proper credit for our proprietary discovery efforts,” said Plexxikon CEO Chao Zhang.
“Genus patents—like those in the lawsuit—are routinely used to prevent competitors from knocking off our scientific innovations with slight molecular changes. We are gratified that the jury upheld their validity, protecting our investment so that we can continue discovering and developing innovative new drugs for patients in need,” Zhang added.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved Taniflar for the treatment of melanoma in 2013, when it was marketed by GSK. Novartis acquired the drug in a portfolio transfer worth $16 billion two years later. The FDA has since expanded the approved uses of Tanfilar to include treatment of other types of cancer.
