Amgen Asks Court to Scuttle Genentech’s Defense of Avastin Patents

Amgen asked a federal court to declare that its newly approved biosimilar Mvasi does not violate 27 patents Genentech holds on Avastin, the reference cancer drug Genentech is trying to defend.

The FDA approved Mvasi (bevacizumab-awwb) in September, the first U.S. approval of a biosimilar to a cancer drug. Indications are for treatment of certain colorectal, lung, brain, kidney and cervical cancers.

As provided for by the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009, Amgen and Genentech exchanged information about Mvasi and Genentech’s Avastin patents, with Genentech claiming Mvasti would violate the 27 patents, Amgen’s complaint said.