Johnson & Johnson loses battle on rheumatoid arthritis drug patent

A federal judge told drug maker Johnson & Johnson it will not get to hold onto its patent for the rheumatoid arthritis drug Remicade.

The drug is called a biologic—it starts a reaction within the patient’s cells. Pfizer is trying to manufacture a “biosimilar” drug, called Inflectra. Johnson & Johnson filed a motion to get Pfizer’s manufacturing to halt on the basis of a patent infringement.

But the judge’s order means Pfizer will be allowed to start selling Inflectra in October, according to the New York Times.

Check out the New York Times to see the story behind the whole back and for between the two companies. 

Caitlin Wilson,

Senior Writer

As a Senior Writer at TriMed Media Group, Caitlin covers breaking news across several facets of the healthcare industry for all of TriMed's brands.

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