Genentech and Biogen Idec appear to be at loggerheads over how to develop the blockbuster Rituxan for new uses. Genentech says it will go ahead with plans to develop Rituxan as a therapy for rheumatoid arthritis and another inflammatory disease. But Biogen Idec says it must first approve of the development program. Dow Jones reports that little is known about the disagreement, and a spokesperson for Biogen Idec says they are trying to work things out. Rituxan has successfully completed a Phase I/II trial for R.A. and Genentech says it is ready to push ahead with a pivotal trial. Rituxan, which is approved for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, earned $1.83 billion last year.
- check out the report on Rituxan from Dow Jones