The Swiss competition commission (COMCO) has opened an investigation of Novartis over possible unlawful use of a patent to reduce competitive pressure, the
Swiss drugmaker confirmed on Thursday, September 15.
COMCO conducted an early morning raid on the company on Sept. 13, it said in a statement that did not name Novartis, which subsequently said in its own statement
that it was the group under investigation.
"The company allegedly attempted to protect its drug for the treatment of skin diseases against competing products by using one of its patents to initiate litigation
proceedings," COMCO said in a statement.
Novartis said COMCO had started an investigation in collaboration with the European Commission into the assertion of a patent in the broader field of dermatology
treatments.
"In connection with this investigation, COMCO representatives visited the company headquarters in Basel," it said.