AbbVie and Boehringer Ingelheim have resolved their patent dispute over a biosimilar to Humira, the companies announced May 14.
Under the settlement, AbbVie will allow Boehringer to launch its FDA-approved Humira biosimilar in July 2023. The deal gives Boehringer nonexclusive intellectual property license to sell its copycat version, Cyltezo, in exchange for royalty payments to AbbVie.
The financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.
Humira, used to treat diseases ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to gut disorders, was the world's best-selling drug in 2018, with nearly $19 million in global sales.
The initial patent for Humira expired in December 2016, but AbbVie secured more than 100 additional patents for the drug. In 2017, AbbVie sued Boehringer, claiming that Cyltezo would infringe on many of those patents.