The Paris Court of Appeal (Cour d’Appel de Paris) has overturned the anti-trust fines implemented by Autorité de la Concurrence, France’s competition commission in 2020. The French competition commission claimed that Novartis and Roche abused their dominant market position to preserve the price of Lucentis® (ranibizumab) by “colluding in obstructive behavior” and spreading “alarmist” and “misleading” statements about the risks associated with a cheaper drug Avastin® (bevacizumab). However, the Appeal Court overturned the decision, finding no cartel conduct.
Novartis says that it “strongly contested these allegations from the outset and firmly believes the company has acted appropriately and in compliance with competition law and the interests of patients at all times”.