Biogen finalizes $900M settlement in false claims whistleblower suit
By 
Adrianne Appel2022-09-27T19:04:00
Biogen finalized a $900 million settlement concerning alleged kickbacks it paid to doctors to induce them to prescribe the company’s drugs and not those of its competitors, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Monday.
Biogen made the alleged payments to try and dampen competition for its multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs, including Avonex, Tysabri, and Tecfidera, according to the settlement.
The agreement, first disclosed by Biogen in July, ends years of litigation dating back to 2012, when former employee Michael Bawduniak blew the whistle on the alleged kickbacks. He filed a lawsuit against the company in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, citing violations of the False Claims Act (FCA).
Related articles
-
ArticlePharma, whistleblower lessons learned from $900M Biogen settlement
Experts discuss the ramifications of Biogen’s $900 million settlement for False Claims Act violations, including the $266.4 million whistleblower bounty in the case believed to be the largest single award under any government program.
-
ArticlePhilips to pay $1.3M in second kickback settlement in month
Philips RS North America agreed to pay approximately $1.3 million to settle charges it unlawfully paid kickbacks as part of its second resolution addressing alleged False Claims Act violations this month.
-
ArticleEssilor agrees to $22M settlement over kickback charges
Essilor, a manufacturer and distributor of optical lenses and equipment, will pay $22 million to settle allegations it paid kickbacks to spur sales in violation of the False Claims Act.
More from Regulatory Enforcement
-
ArticleFormer Credit Suisse compliance officer charged with money laundering
A compliance officer is facing charges for laundering $7 million in a complex legal case in Switzerland. Swiss prosecutors have charged Credit Suisse, and one of its former employees, with failing to maintain adequate controls.
-
News BriefCFPB humility pledge reshapes exam process, as agency faces uncertain future
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Supervision Division introduced a new “humility pledge” last month that examiners will read aloud at the start of each oversight engagement. It’s another shift in how the organization handles itself under the Trump administration.
-
ArticleSan Francisco firm pays $11.4M for alleged Russia-related sanctions violations
A San Francisco-based private equity firm has agreed to pay $11.4 million to settle allegations it violated U.S. sanctions rules by handling investments for a sanctioned Russian oligarch.