AbbVie Loses India Patent Bid for Cancer Drug Venetoclax, Generics Set to Enter Market
New Delhi: In a major development for cancer drug accessibility in India, the Indian Patent Office (IPO) has rejected a patent application filed by multinational pharmaceutical company AbbVie for its cancer drug Venetoclax, marketed under the brand name Venclexta. The patent authority concluded that the application failed to meet the requirement of an "inventive step" under Indian patent law, denying the company exclusive rights over the drug in the country.
The rejection is expected to clear the way for Indian generic drug manufacturers to introduce lower-cost versions of Venetoclax, which is used in the treatment of certain blood cancers. The decision is likely to significantly reduce treatment costs and improve patient access to the therapy, particularly in a price-sensitive market like India.
Venetoclax is regarded as a blockbuster oncology medicine globally, and the denial of patent protection in India could reshape the competitive landscape of the domestic cancer drug market. With the patent barrier removed, Indian pharmaceutical companies can legally develop and market generic versions of the drug, increasing competition and affordability.
AbbVie, however, continues to pursue another patent application related to the composition of Venetoclax. That application is currently facing opposition and remains under legal scrutiny in Indian courts. The outcome of this ongoing case could further impact the company’s intellectual property position in India.
The decision has been welcomed by patient advocacy groups and industry experts, who argue that the entry of generics is crucial for improving access to life-saving cancer medicines. Lower-priced alternatives are expected to benefit a large number of patients who otherwise struggle with the high cost of patented oncology drugs, reports The Times of India.
Experts believe the ruling may encourage domestic drug makers to invest more actively in oncology generics and could influence how multinational pharmaceutical companies approach patent filings and litigation strategies in India going forward.
