A federal jury decided in favor of Amgen on March 16 in a lawsuit filed against Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi for violating patents on a cholesterol reducing drug.

In October 2014, Thousand Oaks-based Amgen sued Paris-based Sanofi and Tarrytown, N.Y.-based Regeneron for violating patents on its cholesterol reducing drug Repatha. Sanofi and Regeneron co-developed Praluent to treat high cholesterol in adults.

Both drugs are similar and part of a class of drugs known as PSK9 inhibitors, which block a protein and lower cholesterol levels in the blood. After a weeklong trial, a Delaware jury ruled Amgen’s patents were valid. Amgen also asked for a permanent injunction against Regeneron and Sonofi, which could be decided at a hearing March 23-24.

Amgen said in a news release Sanofi and Regeneron acknowledged infringing on seven of the disputed patents before the trial started. The company also said it was happy with the decision.

“We are thankful that the jury weighed the evidence carefully and recognized the validity of Amgen’s patents on Repatha,” said Amgen CEO Robert Bradway in a news release.

Regeneron and Sanofi said in a news release they strongly disagree with the decision. They also said they will appeal to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which reviews patent disputes.

“Praluent was developed with Regeneron’s proprietary science and technology and represents an important medical advance for patients,” said Regeneron General Counsel in a news release. “This is a complex area of law and science, and we believe the facts and controlling law support our position.”

The Food and Drug Administration approved Praluent for second-line treatments in July, about a month before Repatha. After the news broke, Amgen shares were down 4 cents to $143.17 as of 11:33 a.m.

• Contact Philip Joens at pjoens@pacbiztimes.com