Supreme Court Issues Unanimous Decisions in Patent and Securities Cases

On June 4, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered unanimous opinions in two significant cases: Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. v. Amarin Pharma, Inc. and Sripetch v. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. v. Amarin Pharma, Inc.

This patent dispute centered on whether a generic drug manufacturer could be held liable for inducing infringement of a brand-name manufacturer's method-of-use patent. Amarin alleged that Hikma's generic version of Vascepa, despite using a "skinny label" that omitted patented uses, still encouraged doctors to prescribe it for those uses. The Supreme Court reversed the Federal Circuit's decision, ruling that Amarin failed to state a claim for active inducement under § 271(b).

Sripetch v. Securities and Exchange Commission

In this securities enforcement case, the Court addressed whether the SEC must prove investor financial losses to obtain disgorgement of a defendant's ill-gotten gains. The Court held that the SEC can obtain disgorgement without showing pecuniary loss to investors, emphasizing that disgorgement focuses on stripping wrongdoers of unlawful profits.

Implications

These decisions clarify legal standards in patent infringement and securities enforcement, impacting pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies. The rulings underscore the Court's commitment to precise legal interpretations in complex cases.

For more detailed information, refer to the original article: The Supreme Court Update - June 4, 2026.