Amgen Says U.S. to Examine Roche Drug

Amgen Inc. said the U.S. International Trade Commission would investigate a complaint seeking to block Roche Holding Ltd. of Switzerland from importing a rival anemia drug.

Roche’s experimental drug Cera, which would compete with Amgen’s Aranesp and Epogen medicines, violates six U.S. patents, Thousand Oaks-based Amgen said.

Amgen also is suing Roche in U.S. court to block it from introducing Cera. At a hearing in Boston today, Roche will ask a federal judge to throw out that case.

Amgen shares fell 15 cents to $67.90.