J&J’s Janssen Sues Amgen to Block Biosimilar of Stelara Drug

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Biotech Inc. alleges that a biosimilar version of Stelara proposed by Amgen Inc. infringes two patents for the ulcerative colitis treatment, whose US sales were nearly $6 billion in 2021.

Amgen “is preparing to commercialize ABP 654,” its copy of Stelara “designed to have the same amino acid sequence as the active ingredient”—ustekinumab—"and highly similar physical and biological properties,” according to a complaint filed Tuesday in the US District Court for the District of Delaware.

Janssen says Amgen told it on Nov. 7 that it would launch ABP 654 in 180 days—on May 6, 2023—"or immediately ...