Trimeris Inc. said it is the target of a patent infringement suit by Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Inc. related to manufacture and sale of HIV fusion inhibitor Fuzeon.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Trimeris said it was informed Nov. 20 that Novartis filed suit against Hoffman-La Roche Inc., Roche Laboratories Inc., Roche Colorado Corp., and F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd. and the company alleging infringement of an HIV-related Novartis patent.