Genzyme files suit for patent infringement
Genzyme has filed a lawsuit in the District Court of Tel Aviv, alleging that Transkaryotic Therapies (TKT) has infringed Genzyme's Israeli patent No. 100,715, which covers certain cell culture processes involved in the manufacture of glucocerebrosidase.
Genzyme has filed a lawsuit in the District Court of Tel Aviv, alleging that Transkaryotic Therapies (TKT) has infringed Genzyme's Israeli patent No. 100,715, which covers certain cell culture processes involved in the manufacture of glucocerebrosidase.
TKT is conducting a clinical trial in Israel of its investigational gene-activated glucocerebrosidase (GA-GCB) for the treatment of Gaucher disease. Genzyme believes that TKT infringes Genzyme's patent by importing into Israel and using in Israel the GA-GCB product manufactured by the processes protected by Genzyme's patent.
The patent covers novel culture processes that have been critical in enabling the company to produce Cerezyme (imiglucerase for injection) on a large scale, which has ensured that the therapy is available to patients in need throughout the world. Genzyme does not expect this action to adversely affect patients enrolled in TKT's ongoing clinical trial.