ZymoGenetics files lawsuit against Bristol-Myers Squibb

ZymoGenetics said Monday it has filed a lawsuit against global pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb, claiming it has infringed on ZymoGenetics patents related to fusion protein technology.

The Seattle biotech company said the suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Delaware, seeks injunctive relief and damages. The company did not provide further details, and the suit was not immediately available from the court.

Biotech companies Amgen and Regeneron have previously licensed the use of the company's patented fusion protein technology. In Amgen's case, the deal was part of a settlement of ZymoGenetics' 2002 patent infringement lawsuit against Immunex, which Amgen acquired.

"We have a number of patents on fusion protein technology, which we believe are being infringed by Bristol-Myers Squibb," said Bruce L.A. Carter Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of ZymoGenetics. "It is important that ZymoGenetics protect its intellectual property rights for technology that it expended significant resources in developing, and we will enforce our patents through litigation when necessary."

Bristol-Myers Squibb did not immediately respond to the lawsuit.