Amgen Inc. is suing Swiss pharma Roche Holding AG for allegedly infringing patents behind Amgen's anemia drug, Epogen. The bone of contention is that Roche's version of the anemia drug, CERA, which is already in the final stage of clinical trials, also contains recombinant erythropoietin, which forms the basis for Amgen's Epogen.

According to Amgen's press release:

Amgen alleges infringement of six U.S. patents owned by Amgen that claim erythropoietin (EPO) products and pharmaceutical compositions, and processes for making EPO. Amgen seeks a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from making, importing, using, offering for sale or selling recombinant human EPO, including pegylated EPO, in the United States.