Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited Sues Genzyme Corporation for Poaching Employees

In April 2012, Kevin Middleton left his position as head of sales for the Teva Pharamceutical specialty sales force, where he oversaw promotion for such neuroscience meds as the Copaxone multiple sclerosis treatment. As part of his departure, he signed a separation agreement that prevented him from soliciting other Teva employees for up to one year. But within two months of leaving Teva, he went to work for Genzyme and allegedly began soliciting former colleagues to join him. In doing so, Middleton allegedly transferred confidential info about Copaxone to Genzyme, which was preparing to compete in the MS marketplace, in violation of his separation agreement, according to a lawsuit that Teva filed against Middleton and Genzyme, which is now owned by Sanofi, in federal court in Philadelphia.

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