Kyle Bass Scores Partial Victory with Challenge of Shire Drug

New York (HedgeCo.net) – After filing dozens of patent challenges, Kyle Bass and his Coalition for Affordable Drugs scored their first partial victory on Wednesday when the US Patent Trial and Appeal Board gave Bass institution for the patent challenge against Shire’s drug Lialda. Lialda is used to treat ulcerative colitis.

While it is only a partial victory in that the review still has to go to trial, for Bass and his strategy, it is a huge step. With all of the media and political coverage drug prices have garnered in the last month, you have to think that weighed on the board’s decision.

Bass formed the Coalition for Affordable Drugs, but it is only part of the plan. While the coalition might seem like a humanitarian cause, Bass also has a hedge fund that uses a reverse or short activist strategy. While he challenges the patents with the coalition, his hedge fund is making bearish bets against the company whose patent they are challenging.

For Shire, the ruling by the board did little to the stock price as it gained 0.43% on Thursday. Should the trial actually go in Bass’ favor, the stock will mostly certainly lose ground.

Rick Pendergraft
Research Analyst
HedgeCoVest

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