United Therapeutics rises after patent ruling
- United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) shares rose after a Delaware federal court denied Liquidia’s motion in a patent infringement case involving Yutrepia and Tyvaso.
- The stock increased 13% to $543.99 following the court decision, while Liquidia shares were halted during afternoon trading.
- The ruling affects a legal dispute over whether Liquidia’s Yutrepia infringes patents covering United Therapeutics’ Tyvaso dry-powder inhalation treatment.
United Therapeutics (NASDAQ:UTHR) shares rose 13% to $543.99 after a Delaware federal court denied Liquidia’s motion to strike a defense argument in a patent infringement case involving Tyvaso and Yutrepia.
The case centers on whether Liquidia’s Yutrepia treatment infringes patents protecting United Therapeutics’ dry-powder inhalation therapy Tyvaso, with the court ruling that United Therapeutics adequately disclosed its common ownership argument.
The court determined that United Therapeutics provided sufficient notice of its defense position, while analysts said the decision affects the ongoing legal dispute over whether Yutrepia can compete with Tyvaso.
Following the announcement, United Therapeutics' share price was up 13% at $543.99, while Liquidia shares were halted during afternoon trading.
United Therapeutics markets Tyvaso for pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease, while Liquidia is seeking to commercialize Yutrepia as an inhaled treprostinil therapy.
The patent litigation remains ongoing, and the final outcome of the case will determine the impact on potential competition between the two therapies.
