http://news.ft.com/ft/gx.cgi/ftc?pagename=View&c=Article&cid=FT3KN16NUWC
Jan 24, 2002
Berlex Laboratories, the U.S. affiliate
of Schering AG Germany said today that it has reached a settlement with
Biogen Corporation in connection with infringement litigation over Berlex's
patents covering the manufacture of Biogen's Avonex(R).
Subject to the outcome of a pending
appeal, the settlement preserves Berlex's and the Schering Group's upside
potential to leverage the asset value of its intellectual property. Biogen
will initially pay Berlex $20 million. Depending on the nature of the ruling
by the U.S. Court Appeals, Berlex and the Schering Group may receive a
second payment of Berlex of either $55 million or $230 million in return
for a license to the patents. These payments will be shared with Stanford
University and Chiron Corporation according to existing contractual arrangements.
The proprietary technology concerns
the production of human beta interferon in mammalian Chinese hamster ovary
(CHO) cells and the manufacture, use, and sale in the United States. Berlex
markets the pioneering treatment for multiple sclerosis, Betaseron(R).
Berlex Laboratories is the U.S. operating
affiliate of Schering AG Germany , a biopharmaceuticals company, and the
world leader in diagnostics/imaging, womens health, and the maker of specialty
medicines for neurology, cancer, cardiovascular disorders and dermatology.
Contact: Media, Jane A. Kramer, +1-973-487-2246,
or home, +1-973-331-7997, or Investors, Joanne Marion, +1-973-487-2164,
both of Berlex Laboratories
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