Merck? Check. Roche? Check. Now Bristol Myers Squibb wants AstraZeneca to pay for PD-L1 patents
Having settled patent lawsuits with Merck and Roche over their PD-(L)1 drugs, Bristol Myers Squibb has found a new target in its crusade to protect — and recoup any damages to — the Opdivo franchise.
In a newly filed complaint, Bristol Myers Squibb claimed that AstraZeneca’s PD-L1 inhibitor, Imfinzi, infringed on at least eight of its patents.
This is not the first time Bristol Myers Squibb has tried to capitalize on its pioneer status in the checkpoint field. Back in 2017, Merck handed over $625 million to settle lawsuits around Keytruda and promised to pay royalties to both Bristol Myers and its Japanese partners at Ono through 2026 (6.5% for the first six years, then 2.5% for three years). In 2020, Roche reached a similar settlement deal for its Tecentriq, where the upfront and royalty percentages weren’t disclosed.
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