Regeneron And Sanofi Say They Will Appeal Amgen Patent Judgment

After a district court ruled in favor of Amgen Inc. in two patent claims, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Sanofi SA said Wednesday they disagreed and would appeal the judgment. The lawsuit's dispute centers around two Amgen patents for antibodies targeting the PCSK9 protein. Known as PCSK9 inhibitors, both Regeneron and Sanofi's Praluent and Amgen's Repatha are high-cost, cholesterol-lowering drugs that are close competitors. Regeneron and Sanofi said in a press release that the suit will not affect Praluent injection or "our ability to deliver it to physicians and patients at this time." Trading of Regeneron shares were halted at around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, before the news broke. After the halt, Regeneron shares were up 0.7%, with the S&P 500 down 0.1%.

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