Pfizer sues Johnson & Johnson over Remicade biosimilar

Mel Evans | AP

A cheaper version of J&J’s top-selling drug, the rheumatoid arthritis treatment Remicade, could be available in the U.S. two years early after a federal judge ruled a key patent on the drug invalid.

Pfizer on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, saying that the drugmaker’s anticompetitive contracts with health insurers prevented biosimilar competition to its blockbuster rheumatoid arthritis drug, Remicade.

Remicade generated U.S. sales of $4.8 billion in 2016.

The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

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