UCB, UCS Pharma, Research Corporation Technologies and Harris FRC Corporation have filed a suit against 15 drug makers, including Sandoz, Watson, Mylan as well as Indian companies like Ranbaxy, Aurobindo, Zydus, Sun Pharma, Glenmark and Alembic Pharmaceuticals for allegedly infringing its patented drug Vimpat.
The suit was filed on July 10, 2013, in the US District Court for the District of Delaware, seeking to prevent these companies from commercialising its ANDA product prior to the expiration of US Patent No.RE 38,551. This lawsuit was filed under the provisions of the Hatch-Waxman Act. According to the petition filed, the patent on Lacosamide Tablets, 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg and 200 mg would expire on March 17, 2022.
Reacting to the news, a Glenmark press release said that if it is successful in its challenge of the patent, it will garner an 180-day exclusivity for its products.
According to IMS Health data for the 12 months ending March 31, 2013, Vimpat tablets and Solution had total US sales of approximately $353 million.
EP News Bureau – Mumbai