Generics/News
Actavis loses Atelvia patents
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) has won a legal battle against Actavis after a federal judge invalidated two patents protecting the post-menopausal osteoporosis drug Atelvia (risedronate sodium delayed-release tablets, 35 mg). Actavis acquired Atelvia in 2013 when it bought Irish drugmaker Warner Chilcott [1], which continues to produce the drug as an Actavis subsidiary.
Ranbaxy fails to reverse FDA decision over Valcyte and Nexium
Indian generics company Ranbaxy has yet again failed in its bid to become the first company in the US to sell generic versions of the AstraZeneca blockbuster acid-reflux drug Nexium (esomeprazole) and F. Hoffman-La Roche’s cytomegalovirus treatment Valycte (valganciclovir). Launching the first generic copies of the drugs would have given Ranbaxy six months of exclusivity on the market.
Drug companies seek to block generic version of ulcerative colitis therapy
The patent holder and manufacturer of Uceris (budesonide), a treatment for ulcerative colitis, have sued generics company Actavis for infringing their drug’s patents. Actavis recently filed an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market Budesonide extended-release tablets, 9 mg.
US court invalidates asthma drug patent
The US District Court of New Jersey ruled on 13 February 2015 that the patent protecting AstraZeneca’s inhaled asthma drug Pulmicort Respules (budesonide inhalation suspension) is invalid, opening the door to competition from generics.
Actavis receives generic opioid approval and plans name change
US generics maker Actavis announced on 20 February 2015 that it had received final approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for a generic version of Reckitt Benckiser’s Subutex (buprenorphine) sublingual tablets in dosages of 2 and 8 mg.
Mylan being sued over sorafenib generic
US-based Mylan is coming under fire from German pharma giant Bayer, as the generics maker is sued for violating patents on Bayer’s liver and kidney cancer drug Nexavar (sorafenib).
Dr Reddy’s could move manufacturing site with view to FDA approval
Generics manufacturer Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (Dr Reddy’s), determined not to lose out on US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its generic version of the acid-reflux blockbuster Nexium (esomeprazole), is considering switching manufacturing to a new facility.
Akorn submits ANDA for difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion
US generics maker Akorn has confirmed that it has filed an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion 0.05%.
FDA approves first generic esomeprazole
Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that reduces the amount of acid in the stomach. The drug is indicated to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults and children aged one year and older.
Prasco to market authorized colchicine generic in the US
US generics maker, Prasco Laboratories (Prasco), announced on 12 January 2015 that it had entered into an alliance with the US subsidiary of Japanese pharmaceutical company, Takeda, to distribute an authorized generic version of Colcrys (colchicine) in the US.
