Saturday, June 17, 2006
Genentech keeps eyes on profit
A major drugs company is using UK licencing rules to block the UK use of a drug that has cheaply saved the sight of thousands of patients around the world.
The drug, Avastin, a colon cancer treatment, has proved effective in arresting wet macular degeneration, when injected in tiny quantities into the eyes of patients.
But Genentech, the company holding the patent, doesn't want it used that way.
Why?
Because it can make more profit by licensing an element of Avastin, Lucentis, for the same purpose.
Here's the story by Sarah Boseley.
The drug, Avastin, a colon cancer treatment, has proved effective in arresting wet macular degeneration, when injected in tiny quantities into the eyes of patients.
But Genentech, the company holding the patent, doesn't want it used that way.
Why?
Because it can make more profit by licensing an element of Avastin, Lucentis, for the same purpose.
Here's the story by Sarah Boseley.
