Kramer Levin Leads Forward Pharma to Billion Dollar Settlement

On Jan. 17, 2017, Kramer Levin obtained a favorable settlement for Forward Pharma in its worldwide dispute with Biogen over patent rights to its Tecfidera blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug. Kramer Levin has been spearheading Forward Pharma’s patent fight, including representing it before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in a patent interference against Biogen. Under the settlement, in exchange for licensing its IP to Biogen, Forward Pharma receives an up-front, non-refundable cash payment of $1.25 billion. Forward Pharma may also be entitled to substantial future royalties should it prevail in the interference and/or an opposition proceeding in Europe involving one of its granted patents.

The Kramer Levin team includes Intellectual Property partners Brian V. Slater and Gregory Sephton, Special Counsel Christine Willgoos, and associates Marcus Colucci, Matthew Olinzock, John P. Dillon, and Anna Schoenfelder.

The settlement was reported in Law360.