ZymoGenetics injunction lifted

A federal court judge in Tennessee has lifted temporary restraining orders that barred ZymoGenetics from making certain claims in its marketing of the blood-clotting agent Recothrom, the Seattle-based biotechnology company said Friday.

The three restraining orders resulted from a lawsuit filed by rival drug maker King Pharmaceuticals, which claims ZymoGenetics has "engaged in unfair competition, false advertising, trademark infringement, and related claims under federal law and Tennessee state law."

ZymoGenetics, which denies those allegations, said the judge lifted the restraining orders after a hearing Friday. Further arguments in the case will be heard Nov. 16.

Recothrom, a genetically engineered blood-clotting compound sold by ZymoGenetics since January 2008, competes with a more established drug from King that is derived from cow blood. ZymoGenetics has argued that because Recothrom is not obtained from animal blood, it is safer for patients than King's product.

The ZymoGenetics product has sold more slowly than forecast. This week the company reported Recothrom's third-quarter sales were $8.5 million — up from $6 million in the second quarter and $1.8 million in the prior year's third quarter.