Novartis, Roche Fined $524 Million in French Eye-Drug Probe (1)

Novartis AG and Roche Holding AG were fined a combined 445 million euros ($524 million) by French regulators who accused the pair of restricting competition in eye treatments.

Novartis and Roche, with the help of Genentech Inc., abused their dominant market power to direct patients with an eye disorder to a more expensive medicine, France’s Autorité de la concurrence said Wednesday in a statement. Novartis was fined 385.1 million euros, while Roche will have to pay 59.7 million euros.

“Their goal was to protect the very strong position of Lucentis and to prevent the use of another drug, Avastin, or ...