A Delaware federal jury has delivered a significant setback to Amgen Inc., finding that its leukemia drug Blincyto infringed on patents held by Germany’s Lindis Biotech GmbH. The ruling, made public on Wednesday, includes a $50.3 million damages award to Lindis, with the potential for that amount to triple due to the jury’s finding of willful infringement.
The patents in question focus on immunotherapy advancements designed to reduce side effects while harnessing the immune system’s ability to target and destroy cancer cells using “bispecific” antibodies.
Amgen, a biotech giant based in Thousand Oaks, California, denied the allegations and argued the patents were invalid. Nevertheless, the jury sided with Lindis, marking a critical win for the German company.
Blincyto generated $566 million in U.S. sales for Amgen in 2023, showcasing the drug’s significant commercial impact. The company expressed disappointment in the verdict and signaled plans to contest the decision. Representatives for Lindis have not yet commented on the outcome.
This lawsuit, filed in 2022, underscores the high-stakes battles that continue to shape the landscape of biopharmaceutical innovation and intellectual property.
The court now holds the power to amplify the damages, which could escalate to $150.9 million—a stark reminder of the costly consequences tied to patent disputes in the medical field.
