The ongoing battle between Swiss drug maker Roche and Bangalore-based biotech major Biocon over breast cancer drug trastuzumab has taken another acrimonious turn with both sides approaching the Delhi High Court on charges of contempt of court.
Earlier this week, Roche filed a contempt petition alleging Biocon violated a previous court order that restrained it from claiming similarity to the Swiss biotech giant's own trastuzumab brand, Herceptin, said sources familiar with the case.
The Swiss drug maker took issue with the mention of Herceptin (sold as Herclon in India) by Biocon at an international scientific conference related to the results of clinical trials on its trastuzumab. Additionally, Roche alleged contempt over Biocon using the name 'Herceptin' in the approval process of its trastuzumab drug in the US, said another top lawyer present at the hearing. Biocon is currently conducting Phase III clinical trials to approve its trastuzumab in the US.
Roche did not comment on the development, stating that the matter was sub judice. Biocon did not respond to ET's queries.
Biosimilar drugs are copies of complex biotech drugs--a space mostly dominated by US and European drug makers.
Biosimilar drugs are copies of complex biotech drugs--a space mostly dominated by US and European drug makers.
For its part, Biocon filed a contempt petition alleging Roche of making disparaging statements leading to a distorted impression of the Indian biotech company, according to the lawyer. At the hearing today, Biocon's counsel alleged that Roche's main aim of approaching the court was aimed at blocking the biopharma company's approvals in other countries.
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