Genmab's Battle: Defending Against AbbVie's Trade Secret Claims

In the high-stakes world of biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, trade secrets are the lifeblood of innovation. They are the closely guarded formulas, processes, and data that give companies a competitive edge. But what happens when these secrets are allegedly stolen? This is the situation Genmab finds itself in, as AbbVie Inc. has accused the Danish biotech company of trade secret misappropriation. The stakes are high, and the battle is just beginning.

The allegations center around Genmab's collaboration with AbbVie on the development of Epkinly (epcoritamab), a groundbreaking anti-CD20 bispecific drug approved by the FDA in March 2025. Epkinly has shown promising results in treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), with a 61% tumor shrinkage rate in patients who had tried a median of three prior lines of therapy. This makes it a potential best-in-class offering in the CD20xCD3 bispecific space, a competitive field that includes Roche’s Lunsumio and glofitamab, as well as candidates from Regeneron and a partnership between Johnson & Johnson and Xencor.

The allegations of trade secret misappropriation come at a critical time for Genmab. The company has been aggressively expanding its pipeline and partnerships, with Epkinly being one of its flagship products. The drug's subcutaneous formulation, which makes it more convenient for patients, is a significant advantage in the market. However, the legal battle with AbbVie could jeopardize these gains if Genmab is found guilty of misappropriating trade secrets.

The outcome of this legal dispute could have far-reaching implications for Genmab's ongoing collaborations with other pharmaceutical companies. The arbitration involving Genmab and Janssen, where claims related to milestone payments and a new royalty term for the subcutaneous formulation of daratumumab were dismissed, sets a precedent for how future disputes are handled under similar license agreements. This could influence the terms and conditions of Genmab's collaborations with other partners, including AbbVie, and affect the financial and operational aspects of their joint development efforts.

For instance, the dismissal of Genmab's claims in the arbitration could lead to a more cautious approach by Genmab in asserting claims related to milestone payments or royalty terms. This could impact the terms of their agreement with AbbVie, as both parties may need to re-evaluate their contractual obligations to ensure that the collaboration remains mutually beneficial. The dismissal could also affect the trust and confidence between Genmab and its partners, making it more challenging to collaborate effectively on the development and commercialization of Epkinly.

The legal battle between Genmab and AbbVie is not just about trade secrets; it's about the future of biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for how trade secrets are protected and enforced in the industry, affecting not just Genmab and AbbVie, but all companies operating in this space. As the battle unfolds, one thing is clear: Genmab is prepared to vigorously defend against these allegations, and the stakes could not be higher.