THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Oct. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced that it filed a lawsuit in the United States (U.S.) District Court of Delaware against Sanofi, Aventisub LLC, formerly doing business as Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (collectively "Sanofi"), and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Regeneron") for patent infringement of U.S. Patent Numbers 8,563,698, 8,829,165, and 8,859,741. These patents, which are owned by Amgen, describe and claim monoclonal antibodies to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 ("PCSK9").
By its complaint, Amgen seeks an injunction to prevent the infringing manufacture, use and sale of Sanofi and Regeneron's alirocumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting PCSK9. Sanofi and Regeneron recently announced that they have completed Phase 3 clinical trials on alirocumab and intend to pursue regulatory approval to market alirocumab in the U.S.
Amgen previously announced submission of a Biologics License Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for evolocumab, its own investigational human monoclonal antibody to PCSK9, for the treatment of high cholesterol, on Aug. 28, 2014.
About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be the world's largest independent biotechnology company, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
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CONTACT: Amgen Thousand Oaks
Kristen Davis, 805-447-3008 (media)
Arvind Sood, 805-447-1060 (investors)
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SOURCE Amgen