In a high-stakes courtroom battle over cancer treatment patents, Anthem Biosciences Limited has assured the Delhi High Court that it won’t roll out any product built on the anti-cancer drug Alectinib—for now.
The assurance came during proceedings in a patent infringement suit filed by Japan’s Chugai Pharmaceutical, which sought to block Anthem from stepping into its protected turf. Justice Tejas Karia, while issuing notice to the Bengaluru-headquartered company, formally recorded the undertaking.
The order is clear: until the next hearing on October 9, Anthem cannot introduce any product involving Alectinib, its salts, solvates, or intermediates that might trespass on Chugai’s patent rights.
Chugai, through its suit, has also demanded a peek into Anthem’s manufacturing processes, claiming that the company’s biosimilar efforts lean heavily on its patented innovations. Alongside, it has pressed for interim relief to ensure Anthem steers clear of any attempt to use Alectinib in its formulations.
The courtroom saw seasoned legal firepower on both sides, with Chugai pushing for protection of its intellectual property and Anthem opting for a defensive pause rather than immediate confrontation.
For now, the case hangs in balance—but the next round in October promises sharper arguments and a closer look at how innovation, patents, and patient care collide in India’s pharmaceutical industry.
