NOVARTIS MERGER DOES NOT AFFECT SCOPE OF SANDOZ/GTI GENE THERAPY PATENT -- FTC's AZCUENAGA; AGENCY CITES NEED FOR "RIVAL CENTERS" OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Executive Summary
The merger of Ciba and Sandoz "does not add to the scope of the patent monopoly" created by Sandoz' patent on ex vivo gene therapy, FTC Commissioner Mary Azcuenaga asserts in a separate statement on the Federal Trade Commission's proposed consent order that would require Novartis to grant licenses to the patent.