The Swiss Competition Commission has begun an investigation into Novartis over the possible unlawful use of a patent to block competitors for some of its medicines, the latest instance in which European authorities have probed drug companies for antitrust infractions.
Earlier this week, the Swiss agency conducted a dawn raid on Novartis headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, seeking information about efforts the company allegedly made to protect a drug for an unspecified skin treatment. Novartis sells a psoriasis medication called Cosentyx, which is its biggest seller and generated more than $2.4 billion in sales in the first half of 2022.
The authorities alleged the company attempted to rely on a so-called blocking patent to initiate patent litigation and thwart competitors. A blocking patent refers to a patent that would prevent another party from using the covered invention. This might amount to an unlawful abuse of an allegedly dominant market position, according to the Swiss Cartel Act. The probe is being conducted along with the European Commission.
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