Illumina and Guardant Health are now ready to put the past behind them as they agreed to cease trade secrets litigation. They are now looking ahead to a new future—a partnership that will benefit both sides and strengthen their respective standing in the field. This collaboration is set to bring about bold, innovative ideas that will revolutionize the commercial landscape.
Illumina launched a legal battle against its former employees Helmy Eltoukhy and AmirAli Talasaz- the co-CEOs of Guardant Health, accusing them of stealing trade secrets on Illumina’s computers to kickstart their business venture. Not only did Eltoukhy allegedly draft patent applications while still employed at Illumina, but he also obtained an astonishing collection of forwarded emails and internal documents upon his departure. It remains to be seen how the trial will unfold and what the repercussion of such a hefty accusation will be.
In response to the lawsuit issued by Illumina, Guardant released a statement calling it “frivolous and retaliatory.” Guardant’s general counsel suggested this was in retaliation to antitrust concerns it had raised over Illumina’s acquisition of Grail. Illumina however, denied the allegations and insisted the action had nothing to do with retaliation.
The acquisition of cancer diagnostic test maker Guardant Health by Illumina in March of this year faced scrutiny from both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the market. In June, the FTC ordered Illumina to divest the Guardant Health due to competition concerns in the U.S. market, which Illumina has since challenged with an appeal.
Guardant and Illumina have just reached a groundbreaking agreement, settling all intellectual property disputes and expanding their commercial relationship into the long-term. This new partnership will bring together the companies’ collective resources to facilitate cancer research and share vital samples for the greater good. An exciting new chapter has begun for both parties as they strive to make an impact on human health.
A breathtaking collaboration between Guardant Health and Pfizer has been announced, with the two companies collaborating to help patients beat cancer. Chris Freeman, Guardant’s Chief Commercial Officer, commented on the partnership, noting that both companies are deeply devoted to the cause. Athough it’s not extraordinary to see lawsuits in the biopharma sector, this settlement between Pfizer and a biotech firm developed by its former staff is remarkable.
In a stunning move, the pharma giant Regor found itself in a heated legal dispute with a major rival when it was hit with multiple allegations of trade secret misappropriation, contract breaches, and unlawful trade practices. This came just two months after Regor sealed a massive $50 million deal with Eli Lilly that could yield an impressive $1.5 billion should further milestones be met.
After a lengthy dispute, both Regor and Pfizer have come to an agreement, relinquishing their claims against one another. Despite the lack of information released to the public to provide specifics on the arrangement, both parties are content with the settlement.