Fierce Pharma
Date: Sep 6, 2019
By:: Angus Liu
Roche's Genentech has reached a settlement with JHL Biotech over allegations that the latter stole
Roche’s Genentech has reached a settlement with JHL Biotech over allegations that the latter stole trade secrets to make copycats of its top-selling cancer drugs. (Genentech)
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Genentech has called a truce with Taiwanese biosimilar firm JHL Biotech, which allegedly stole trade secrets to help it develop copycats to top-selling cancer drugs.
The Roche unit said the settlement requires JHL “to abandon development of and destroy” all cell materials related to the cancer drug brands involved—namely Rituxan, Herceptin, Avastin and Pulmozyme—and stop using or sharing them in any way. To make sure JHL complies, Genentech has the right to unannounced checkups.
According to an announcement JHL just posted, the Taiwanese firm “will reimburse Genentech for its legal fees and the cost of its investigation, but will not otherwise pay any damages.”
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We expect to execute the formal settlement agreement in due course,” Genentech said.
Making peace with the company without any cash payments for punishment’s sake could mean Genentech is now shifting focus to the individuals involved.
The case first erupted last October, when a federal grand jury indicted former Genentech employees and an ex-JHL staffer for conspiring to steal trade secrets for JHL. Three ex-Genentech workers—former principal scientist Xanthe Lam, her husband Allen Lam and James Quach—allegedly worked with John Chan on the JHL side to funnel proprietary information. All four have pleaded not guilty to the charges. [FULL STORY]