Genentech and Biogen sue GlaxoSmithKline and Genmab over Arzerra patent

US biotechnology giant Genentech, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Switzerland's Roche, and Biogen Idec have filed a declaratory relief complaint at the US District Court, Southern District of California against GlaxoSmithKline and Denmark's Genmab for patent infringement under US patent No 7,682,612 based on GSK's manufacture, marketing and sale of Arzerra (ofatumumab) in the USA.

Arzerra, for the treatment of fludarabine and alemtuzumab refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), is sold by UK drug giant GSK under license from the Danish biotechnology firm. US patent No 7,682,612 was issued to Genentech and Biogen on March 23, 2010, the same day the complaint was filed, and contains a claim to a method of treating CLL with anti-CD20 antibodies, wherein the method does not comprise treatment with radio-labeled anti-CD20 antibodies.

Companies believe claim is not enforceable