AbbVie Seeks to Block Release of Clinical Trial Data

AbbVie Inc. (ABBV), the drugmaker that was split off from Abbott Laboratories (ABT) at the start of this year, sued the European Union’s pharmaceuticals regulator in a bid to block publication of clinical-trial data. AbbVie, based in North Chicago, Illinois, filed two lawsuits against the European Medicines Agency at the European Union General Court in Luxembourg “seeking to protect AbbVie’s confidential and commercially sensitive information,” the company said in an e-mailed statement today. The EU regulator promised in 2010 to bolster its transparency by disclosing -- on demand -- clinical trial data for every drug reviewed. Drug safety activists pressed for the move amid concerns over suicide risks linked to Sanofi (SAN)’s failed diet pill Acomplia. AbbVie said while it supports transparency of clinical research and safety information “for the benefit of patients and healthcare professionals,” it opposes the publication of information “that does not meaningfully contribute to the scientific review or evaluation of our products.” EMA representatives didn’t immediately return a call and e- mail seeking comment.

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