Summary
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALNY) announced on March 15, 2011, that it has entered into a global settlement agreement to resolve ongoing litigation concerning the "Tuschl" patents. This agreement, effective March 14, 2011, brings an end to a dispute initiated in June 2009 and was set for trial in March 2011. The settlement involves Alnylam, Max Planck, the Whitehead Institute, and the University of Massachusetts, with MIT also agreeing to the terms. This resolution is significant as Alnylam is the exclusive licensee for the Tuschl I and Tuschl II patent applications, which are crucial for its RNAi therapeutics pipeline.
Key Highlights
- 1Alnylam has reached a global settlement agreement resolving litigation concerning the "Tuschl" patents.
- 2The settlement brings closure to a dispute that began in June 2009 and was scheduled for trial.
- 3Alnylam holds exclusive licenses to the Tuschl I and Tuschl II patent applications, vital for its RNAi therapeutic development.
- 4Under the agreement, Max Planck will lead the future prosecution of the Tuschl I and Tuschl II patent families in the U.S.
- 5UMass will lead the future prosecution of the Tuschl I patent family outside the U.S.
- 6Alnylam has granted UMass the right to sublicense the U.S. Tuschl II patent family to Merck & Co., Inc., in exchange for a share of future sublicense income.
Frequently Asked Questions
The "Tuschl" patents are fundamental to Alnylam's RNAi therapeutics pipeline. Alnylam is the exclusive licensee for the Tuschl I and Tuschl II patent applications, which are key intellectual property for developing RNA interference-based therapies.
The litigation, initiated in June 2009, involved disputes regarding the prosecution of the Tuschl I and Tuschl II patent applications among Alnylam, Max Planck, the Whitehead Institute, the University of Massachusetts, and MIT.
The settlement establishes a clear leadership structure for future patent prosecution. Max Planck will lead the prosecution of both Tuschl I and Tuschl II patent families in the U.S., and also continues to lead Tuschl II prosecution internationally. UMass will lead the prosecution of the Tuschl I patent family outside the U.S.
Alnylam is currently assessing the costs incurred in connection with the dispute during the three months ended March 31, 2011. These costs will be charged to general and administrative expenses and will be disclosed in their upcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.