Case: Trade Secrets/Misappropriation (N.D. Cal.)

Genentech Inc. states a trade secret misappropriation claim against its competitor in the biopharmaceutical space, JHL Biotech Inc., which markets “biosimilars” of four of Genentech’s biologics. These are large-molecule, protein-based drugs produced by living cells and recombinant DNA technology. Genentech claims that DHL hired a family friend of Genentech’s principal scientist, who later went on to work for JHL, as well as another former Genentech employee, and that while the scientist was still employed by Genentech, the former employee accessed Genentech’s manufacturing trade secrets and other documents. The case is Genentech, Inc. v. JHL Biotech, Inc., N.D. Cal., C 18-06582 WHA, 6/13/19