Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2024
Trade-secret lawsuit against BeiGene
AbbVie sued BeiGene, alleging that a former AbbVie scientist took confidential information that was used in developing a competing blood-cancer treatment. The allegations were disputed and remained litigation claims rather than established findings.
2022
Opioid-marketing settlement involving Allergan
AbbVie agreed to pay up to $2.37 billion to resolve U.S. litigation involving alleged opioid marketing by its Allergan unit. AbbVie denied wrongdoing.
2021
Senate investigation into tax practices
The United States Senate Finance Committee examined whether AbbVie used provisions of the 2017 tax law and offshore intellectual-property structures to reduce its U.S. tax liability.
2021
BTL and AbbVie settle patent dispute
Settlement
BTL announced that it had resolved its patent infringement claims against AbbVie related to BTL's muscle stimulation technology. Under the settlement, AbbVie will pay BTL an undisclosed amount, and pending litigation between the parties will be dismissed.
Source excerpt
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, ABBVIE will pay BTL an undisclosed payment.
BTL Industries—a leading manufacturer of innovative aesthetic products—announced today that the company has resolved its patent infringement claims against ABBVIE related to BTL's muscle stimulation technology.
2021
AbbVie files second suit against Alvotech
Lawsuit filed
AbbVie brought a second action against Alvotech hf. in the Northern District of Illinois, alleging patent infringement in connection with Alvotech’s proposed HUMIRA biosimilar.
Source excerpt
On May 28, AbbVie brought a second action in the Northern District of Illinois for patent infringement against Alvotech hf. under the BPCIA in connection with Alvotech’s proposed biosimilar version of HUMIRA® (adalimumab).
2021
Alvotech files suit against AbbVie over Humira patents
Lawsuit filed
Alvotech USA and Alvotech hf filed a declaratory-judgment complaint against AbbVie in the Eastern District of Virginia, alleging that patents in AbbVie’s Humira portfolio were invalid or unenforceable and seeking declaratory judgments of non-infringement and invalidity.
Source excerpt
For each patent, the complaint asserts a claim for a declaratory judgment of non-infringement and invalidity.
On May 11, 2021, Alvotech USA and Alvotech hf (jointly, Alvotech) filed a complaint seeking declaratory judgement against AbbVie Inc. and AbbVie Biotechnology Ltd (jointly, AbbVie) in the Eastern District of Virginia.
2020
Humira nurse-ambassador allegations
AbbVie agreed to pay $24 million to resolve allegations concerning kickbacks connected with promotion of Humira through nurse-ambassador programs.
2018
TriCor marketing settlement
AbbVie agreed to pay $25 million to resolve allegations that unlawful kickback arrangements were used to promote TriCor. The resolution did not establish a criminal conviction by itself, and the company’s legal position should be distinguished from the allegations.