AbbVie Suit Claims Humira Patent Violations by Boehringer Ingelheim

AbbVie filed a federal lawsuit in Delaware claiming Boehringer Ingelheim is illegally infringing on patents in its development of a Humira biosimilar.

The Aug. 2 complaint alleges infringement on up to 74 patents related to the formulation, production, administration and other aspects of Humira (adalimumab), which treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, chronic psoriasis and other ailments. The suit initially tackles eight of those patents.

AbbVie asked the district court to block sales of Boehringer’s biosimilar in the U.S., but said it will contest the rest of the patents when Boehringer formally declares its intention to go to market with its biosimilar.