AbbVie’s Trade Secrets Lawsuit is Defeated by Alvotech

A federal judge in the United States rejected a case filed by AbbVie’s against Alvotech Hf for misappropriation of trade secrets. Alvotech, an Iceland-based biosimilar firm, is attempting to bring to market an inexpensive high-concentration biosimilar of Humira® (adalimumab). The judgment was announced Wednesday, Oct. 6, by Judge Harry D. Leinenweber of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.

Meritless allegations aimed at limiting access to cheap medications will not discourage us from our objective, and today serves as validation of our work,” stated Róbert Wessman, Alvotech’s founder, and chairman. AbbVie’s action was yet another attempt to keep its monopoly on Humira and prevent Alvotech’s planned biosimilar from becoming available to patients in the United States.

Alvotech is the only known company that has submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) for a high-concentration biosimilar candidate to Humira, the most commonly used strength of the product on the market, as well as successfully completed a switching study in support of an FDA designation of interchangeability and, consequently, the potential for product substitution at the pharmacy level. Teva Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA), is the exclusive strategic partner for the commercialization of AVT02.

Adalimumab works by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor, a molecule in the body that promotes inflammation. Adalimumab is a medication used to treat inflammatory disorders. Humira has global sales of almost $20 billion in 2020, making it the world’s best-selling biologic medication.Alvotech revealed favorable top-line findings for a switching trial between its planned biosimilar AVT02 and Humira on September 10.