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Biogen Pays $1.25bn For Peace Of Mind Over Tecfidera, But Legal Wrangling Continues

 
• By Sukaina Virji and Michael Cipriano

Biogen's new CEO Michel Vounatsos has begun his tenure by taking out a $1.25bn "insurance policy" on MS drug Tecfidera by licensing Forward Pharma's patent portfolio, but the cost of the deal could spiral if the Danish firm wins a series of ongoing patent disputes with Biogen concerning Tecfidera and Forward Pharma's MS drug candidate FP187.

Biogen Inc. has entered into a licensing agreement with Forward Pharma AS to all intellectual property owned by Forward. The agreement consists of an upfront payment of $1.25bn and potential royalties if Forward’s legal battles are successful. Forward has not agreed to drop ongoing legal action.

The legal spat stems from Forward Pharma's claim that its patents on the active ingredient of Tecfidera, dimethyl fumarate, were filed before

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