Repligen files patent infringement suit against Bristol-Myers Squibb for Orencia

By Ted A. Knutson

Washington, Jan. 6 - Repligen Corp. said Friday the company and The University of Michigan have jointly filed a complaint against Bristol-Myers Squibb Corp. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,685,941, which covers methods of using CTLA4-Ig to treat rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other therapeutic methods.

Repligen has exclusive rights to this patent from its owners, the University of Michigan and the Navy.

On Dec. 23, the Food and Drug Administration approved Bristol-Myers Squibb's application to market CTLA4-Ig, under the brand name Orencia, for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in the joints, which affects more than 2 million people domestically.

"We intend to fully protect Repligen's and their patent rights, by seeking a royalty bearing license agreement with [Bristol-Myers Squibb] whether through litigation or negotiation," stated Walter C. Herlihy, president and chief executive officer of Repligen, in a press release.

Waltham, Mass.-based Repligen focuses on the development of therapeutics for profound neuropsychiatric disorders and autoimmune disease.

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