AbbVie arthritis patent challenged

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By Laura Finaldi

AbbVie, the North Chicago, Ill.-based biopharma with a research center in Worcester, has received a challenge to one of its patents for Humira, a flagship drug for the company.

The U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board announced on Tuesday it would go through with a petition for review of AbbVie’s patent, directed to a dosing regimen in which 40 mg of Humira is administered under the skin every 13 to 15 days as a rheumatoid arthritis treatment. The petition came from Redwood City, Calif.-based Coherus BioSciences Inc., which has been developing and commercializing a a treatment similar to Humira.

Bloomberg reported although AbbVie’s market share is much greater than that of Coherus -- AbbVie is worth nearly $100 billion and Coherus is worth $740 million -- the decision is a blow to AbbVie because it suggests the company’s patent strength might not be as secure as it hoped. Humira is AbbVie’s lead inflammation drug and accounted for $14 billion in sales last year, according to Bloomberg.

Nonetheless, a statement from AbbVie spokesperson Greg Miley said the company will vigorously defend its patents and is confident in their validity.

“Humira is protected by many patents covering all aspects of its manufacture, formulation and indications and the patents are the result of AbbVie’s investment in biologic innovation and the unique attributes of Humira,” the statement said.