Judge Fast-Tracks Amgen Patent Case

A U.S. District Judge has granted an accelerated hearing for a patent-infringement suit by Thousand Oaks-based Amgen Inc. Amegen contends an anemia treatment under development by Roche Holdings AG is in violation of its Epogen and Aranesp drugs. Amgen is looking to ban the Swiss drug maker from importing the product, called Cera. A hearing is slated for Oct. 23 in Boston. Amgen asked for expedited hearing because Cera is expected to receive FDA approval in 2007. The U.S. International Trade Commission dropped an investigation into the alleged violation last month.