Cephalon spent $512,000 on lobbying in first quarter

WASHINGTON—Biotech drugmaker Cephalon spent more than $512,000 lobbying the federal government in the first quarter, according to a government disclosure form.

Cephalon lobbied in favor of more funding for the Food and Drug Administration, which reviews the safety of all new medicines in the U.S.

The Frazer, Pa.-based company lobbied Congress on a bill aimed at updating the U.S. patent system. Software and computer companies supported the bill that passed the House last year, saying it would cut down on frivolous patent-infringement lawsuits. But the pharmaceutical industry argued it would weaken patent protections on drugs by reducing infringement penalties. The bill has stalled in the Senate.

Cephalon also lobbied for new standards for alcoholism treatments. The company markets the drug Vivitrol, a monthly injectable treatment for alcoholism.

Along with Congress, Cephalon lobbied the Federal Trade Commission, the White House and the National Institutes of Health.

Cephalon disclosed its lobbying spending in a form filed April 21 with the Senate's office of public records.