Rigel Pharmaceuticals Reaches Settlement Agreement with Annora Pharma
South San Francisco, CA – Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and providing novel medicines for the treatment of inflammatory and immune-related diseases, announced on March 27, 2025, the signing of a settlement agreement with Annora Pharma Private Ltd.
Terms of the Settlement
Under the terms of the agreement, Rigel Pharmaceuticals will pay Annora Pharma an undisclosed amount in cash and grant them a non-exclusive license to certain intellectual property related to Rigel’s investigational drug, R348, for certain indications in India and certain other Asian countries.
Background
Annora Pharma had previously initiated a patent infringement lawsuit against Rigel Pharmaceuticals in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The lawsuit alleged that Rigel’s development of R348, a monoclonal antibody, infringed upon Annora’s patents. Rigel Pharmaceuticals denied the allegations and counter-claimed for patent infringement.
Impact on Rigel Pharmaceuticals
The settlement agreement allows Rigel Pharmaceuticals to continue its development of R348 without the distraction and uncertainty of the ongoing litigation. The company can now focus on its clinical trials and regulatory submissions for R348 in various indications, including autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Impact on the World
The settlement agreement between Rigel Pharmaceuticals and Annora Pharma may have broader implications for the biotechnology industry. The resolution of this patent dispute could pave the way for increased collaboration and licensing agreements between companies, particularly in the field of monoclonal antibodies. This could lead to the acceleration of new drug development and the delivery of novel medicines to patients.
Conclusion
The settlement agreement between Rigel Pharmaceuticals and Annora Pharma marks the end of a significant patent dispute in the biotechnology industry. The resolution of this dispute allows Rigel Pharmaceuticals to continue its development of R348 while also potentially setting a positive precedent for increased collaboration and licensing agreements in the industry. This settlement agreement is an important step forward for Rigel Pharmaceuticals and the broader biotechnology sector as they continue to innovate and develop new medicines for the benefit of patients around the world.
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals enters into a settlement agreement with Annora Pharma
- The agreement includes a cash payment and a non-exclusive license to certain intellectual property
- Rigel Pharmaceuticals denies patent infringement allegations and countersues
- Settlement allows Rigel Pharmaceuticals to focus on R348 development
- May set a positive precedent for increased collaboration and licensing agreements in the biotechnology industry
