AbbVie Asks Court to Extend Venclexta Cancer-Drug Patent’s Life

AbbVie Inc. urged a Virginia federal court to add more than four months to a patent for its Venclexta cancer drug, arguing the US Patent and Trademark Office made mistakes during the application process that led to an improper 129-day reduction in the patent term.

The PTO’s strict application of its own rules to penalize AbbVie for its efforts during the disputed period “contradicts the plain language of the statute, exceeds the PTO’s statutory authority, and constitutes an arbitrary and capricious exercise of administrative power,” AbbVie said in a brief supporting its summary judgment motion filed Monday in the US ...