BUSINESS WIRE - 44 Montgomery St, 39th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104; Tel: (415) 986-4422; FAX: (415) 788-5335 - Tuesday, 15 October 1996.
BioChem Pharma is the Canadian-based biopharmaceutical company that discovered Epivir(TM)/3TC(R) (lamivudine), the most widely prescribed drug for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. BioChem Pharma and its co-founder and CEO, Dr. Francesco Bellini, welcome the opportunity to have the patent issue settled through the U.S. legal system. "The federal courts provide us with the appropriate forum to finally put to rest Emory University's baseless claims to 3TC(R). Their action does a grave disservice to the late Dr. Belleau and all of the brilliant and dedicated scientists, who pioneered this discovery, which is currently providing a treatment that makes a difference to so many people suffering from HIV infection."
BioChem Pharma responded in court papers filed today to Emory's allegations. Emory has based its claims on its July 1996 U.S. patent. However, BioChem Pharma has had the pioneering patent covering 3TC(R) since 1991 and its licensee, Glaxo Wellcome plc, has manufactured and sold 3TC(R) (Epivir(TM)) since 1995. The Emory patent is invalid as it fails to comply with the most fundamental requirements of U.S. patent law. Emory improperly incorporated 3TC(R) into their patent application long after it had been invented and made public by BioChem Pharma and Glaxo Wellcome. Under its licensing agreement with Glaxo Wellcome, BioChem Pharma receives royalties based on sales of 3TC(R) (Epivir(TM)) and it is a portion of those royalties that Emory wishes to unjustly appropriate.
BioChem Pharma, soon to mark its tenth anniversary, is an international biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative products for the prevention, detection, and treatment of human diseases. The company shares are traded on the Montreal and Toronto Stock exchanges (BCH) and on the NASDAQ (BCHXF).
CONTACT: BioChem Pharma Inc. Christine Lennon, 514/978-7938 Vice President, Corporate Communications
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