Amgen wins big one

A Boston jury ruled today that Roche’s new drug, Mircera, infringed 11 Amgen patent claims - a very big deal for the Thousand Oaks-based biotech/drug firm. For now, the jury verdict will block Roche from introducing an anemia drug in the U.S., though the company said it was looking at all legal options, including an appeal. Amgen's two anemia drugs, Epogen and Aranesp, had sales last year of $6.6 billion last year - nearly half the company’s total. Amgen said it would seek an injunction to prevent Roche from releasing Mircera in the U.S. Amgen shares were up 2.8 percent today. (NYT)