Cigna Targets Bristol-Myers in Antitrust Suit Over Cancer Drug Monopoly Practices

Cigna Corporation has set its sights on Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., along with its Celgene subsidiary, launching an antitrust lawsuit in a New York federal court. The lawsuit accuses Bristol-Myers of engaging in practices to delay the entry of generic alternatives for its flagship blood-cancer drug, Pomalyst. According to the allegations, Bristol-Myers is said to have fraudulently secured patents, engaged in sham litigation, and arranged with generic-drug manufacturers to postpone the release of cheaper, generic versions of the drug. These acts purportedly ensure the preservation of its monopoly over the lucrative Pomalyst market. For a deeper dive into the specifics of this legal challenge, further details are available through Law360 coverage.