[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Even if the patent was going to run out on Embrel itself, the trials could have resulted in a slightly modified, re-purposed drug for which a new patent would apply.

Doing absolutely nothing until the patent for Embrel ran out means they've given up whatever advantage they would have had to develop a new drug first.

Doesn't make sense.

[RummyChick]

I think the patent ran out before the trials would be over. 2015. 4 years. Patent ran out in 2018.

[ifinnegan]

“Even if the patent was going to run out on Embrel itself, the trials could have resulted in a slightly modified, re-purposed drug for which a new patent would apply.”

That’s a common practice for small molecule drugs, but not as easy for biologicals like Enbrel.