Biocon settles Roche's US patent lawsuit over proposed breast-cancer drug copy

Roche Holding AG

14/10/2026 19:56

By Blake Brittain
Oct 14 (Reuters) - Roche's ROPC.S Genentech has settled a US lawsuit against Indian biopharmaceutical company Biocon BION.NS over its proposed biosimilar of Genentech's blockbuster breast-cancer drug Perjeta, Biocon said Wednesday.
Biocon said in a statement that the settlement gives it the "earliest licensed launch dates" for a Perjeta biosimilar, allowing the company to launch its Pebrilzo in the first quarter of 2027 in the UK and European Union, and the third quarter of 2028 in the United States  
The release said that other terms of the agreement are confidential
Biosimilars are versions of biologic drugs ​that are comparable to generics of traditional pharmaceuticals. Unlike ‌traditional ⁠drugs, complex biologic drugs are made from living cells and cannot be copied exactly
Genentech's biologic Perjeta was Switzerland-based Roche's sixth-best-selling ​drug last year, ​earning ⁠it nearly CHF 2.97 billion ($3.67 billion) in revenue worldwide, according to a ​company report
Genentech sued Biocon in New Jersey earlier this year, alleging Biocon's biosimilar would infringe its patents
The court dismissed the lawsuit on Wednesday at Genentech's request
Biocon did not respond to Genentech's allegations in court
The case is Genentech Inc v. Biocon Biologics Inc, US District Court for the District of New Jersey, No. 2:26-cv-09585
For Genentech: Michael Morin of Latham & Watkins
For Biocon: Jeanna Wacker of Kirkland & Ellis
     
Read more:
Roche sues Biocon over proposed breast-cancer drug copy

(Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington)