- Despite the 2016 patent expiration of the blockbuster Humira anti-inflammatory (eg arthritis) medication, AbbVie has maintained its monopoly by constantly filing new Humira-related patents.
- AbbVie uses these patents to threaten lawsuits against competitors.
- Seeking to avoid lawsuits, competitors settled with AbbVie and agreed to delay offering low-cost generic versions.
- Competitors also agreed to pay AbbVie a 10% royalty on generic sales.
- Since the patent expiration, Humira’s price (in America, much lower abroad) has increased from $50K to $80K per year ($114 billion revenue since 2016).
