Bristol Myers sues AstraZeneca anew for another cancer drug patent infringement

Bristol Myers Squibb has sued AstraZeneca for its antibody-based cancer treatment Imjudo, which it says infringes its patents for its drug Yervoy

According to Bristol Myer, Imjudo fights cancer in the same way as Yervoy.

Bristol Myers has previously sued AstraZeneca for patent infringement over the latter’s other cancer drug, Imfinzi.

AstraZeneca said it is aware of the complaint and will respond to it "at the appropriate time."

The FDA has also approved the immunotherapy Yervoy for the treatment of kidney, lung, colorectal, and other cancers. The FDA initially approved Yervoy in 2011 to treat melanoma.

In 2021, Bristol Myers sold over $2 billion worth of Yervoy.

AstraZeneca’s Imjudo was given FDA approval last year to be used in conjunction with Imfinzi to treat liver and lung cancer.

In the second lawsuit, Bristol Myers claimed that AstraZeneca had violated two patents on the use of antibodies to treat cancer and strengthen a patient's immune system.

Bristol Myers insists that AstraZeneca was aware of the patents, being on notice due to licensing discussions and the Imfinzi lawsuit.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of money for damages.