Biogen, Genentech at odds over drug's fate
Genentech Inc. and Biogen Idec Inc. are embroiled in a dispute over the development of a second-generation version of their blockbuster drug Rituxan.
Genentech of South San Francisco, Calif., plans to proceed with development of the compound as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and another inflammatory disorder.
But Biogen, of Cambridge, says it must first grant permission. The companies haven't offered many details about the dispute, but say they're trying to resolve it.
Rituxan is a treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis that went on sale in 1997. It's comarketed in the United States by Biogen, which discovered it, and Genentech.
Rituxan, which had US sales of $1.83 billion last year, is known as an anti-CD20 antibody because it targets certain immune cells called CD20-positive B-cells.
Genentech and Biogen have been developing a follow-up drug called a humanized anti-CD20 molecule. A combined phase 1/phase 2 trial of the compound in patients with rheumatoid arthritis met its primary safety target, and had moderate side effects of nausea and headaches, Genentech said this year.
Last month, Genentech said it had decided to proceed to a phase 3 trial. Genentech also applied to the Food and Drug Administration to study the compound in a disease known as neuromyelitis optica, an inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord and optic nerves.
Biogen spokeswoman Amy Ryan said Biogen's assent is ``necessary to make sure our resources are utilized properly." Ryan didn't say why Biogen hasn't yet agreed to further develop the compound. Also, it wasn't immediately clear whether it would be studied in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the first approved use for Rituxan. A Genentech spokeswoman didn't return a call.
In another development, Biogen struck a research and investment deal with Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd. Toronto-based Amorfix said the deal gives Biogen an option to license the exclusive worldwide rights to Amorfix's technology to develop and commercialize therapeutic treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative condition also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. 