ARIAD files patent case against Lilly
ARIAD Pharma-ceuticals, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, and the President and Fellows of Harvard College have filed a lawsuit against Eli Lilly, alleging infringement of their newly issued US patent covering methods of treating human disease by regulating NF-(kappa) B cell signalling activity. The lawsuit alleges infringement by Lilly through its sale of Evista and Xigris and seeks monetary damages. Both drugs are projected eventually to exceed US$1bn (Euro 1bn) in annual sales.
ARIAD has an exclusive license to pioneering technology and patents related to the discovery, development and use of drugs that regulate NF-(kappa)B cell-signaling activity.