ITC Asks for Comments on BTG's Snake Antivenom Patent Complaint

The International Trade Commission is asking for comments by Nov. 14 on public interest factors raised by BTG International’s Section 337 patent complaint on snake antivenom that purportedly infringes its patents. BTG filed its complaint on Oct. 30, alleging that three U.S. companies and four Mexican companies are importing and selling an antivenom used to treat snake bites from pit viper snakes such as rattlesnakes. The antivenom imports infringe a patent held by BTG on a method to prevent serum sickness, a potentially life-threatening immune reaction, it said. BTG is requesting limited exclusion orders and cease and desist orders against the import and sale of the allegedly infringing antivenom.