Regeneron says EPO revokes Immunex’s European patent No. 2,990,420

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) announced two important legal developments invalidating Immunex patents with functional claims to antibodies that target human interleukin-4 receptors. Earlier today, the Opposition Division of the European Patent Office revoked Immunex’s European Patent No. 2,990,420 in its entirety because the claims were invalid for insufficiency of disclosure. This follows a decision yesterday by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office to invalidate all 17 claims of Immunex’s U.S. Patent No. 8,679,487 as obvious. These decisions are subject to appeal by Immunex. The patents in question are owned by Immunex Corporation, which is wholly-owned by Amgen (AMGN). “We applaud decisions by the U.S. and European patent offices this week, which invalidate Immunex’s functional patent claims to antibodies that target human IL-4 receptors,” said Joseph LaRosa, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Regeneron. “It is our position that Immunex’s functional claims unfairly attempt to claim ownership far beyond the molecules developed, and stifle innovation within the broader scientific community.”
https://thefly.com/landingPageNews.php?id=2865679