Biogen Idec spent $240K lobbying government in 2Q

NEW YORK

Biotechnology company Biogen Idec Inc. spent $240,000 lobbying the federal government in the second quarter, according to a recent disclosure form.

The amount marks a 20 percent reduction from the $300,000 it spent during the same period in 2009 and is less than the $290,000 it spent in the first quarter.

The company, based in Cambridge, Mass., focused on patent reform issues and Medicare reimbursement for its biotech drugs. Among the issues was the potential prohibition of settling patent challenges on proposed generic drugs. Companies have said they often use the settlements to avoid long, drawn-out lawsuits with generic challengers.

However, regulators have accused the drugmakers of using settlements as a type of payoff to potential competitors to keep their cheaper versions off the market.

During the April-to-June period, the company continued lobbying on corporate tax issues, according to a form filed July 19 with the House clerk's office.

The company lobbied both chambers of Congress.

Kathleen Tregoning, formerly a staffer with the House Ways and Means Committee, and Adam Gluck, who previously worked for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, were among those lobbying on Biogen's behalf during the period.