Gilead Avoids $2.5bn Jury Verdict As Judge Rules Merck's Hep C Patent Is Invalid

 Merck to appeal decision after district court says Gilead's discovery of sofosbuvir was 'neither routine nor simple.'

Gavel

A US district court judge scuttled Merck & Co. Inc.'s $2.5bn damages award against Gilead Sciences Inc., finding that Merck's patent related to hepatitis products is invalid for lack of enablement.

The decision is remarkable for eliminating a record-breaking verdict that Gilead's Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) and Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir) infringes Merck's patent No....

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