Pfizer slaps case on Aurobindo, Dr Reddy's in US court
Pfizer says the companies are planning separately to develop and market generic versions of Ibrance
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Hyderabad: Pfizer Inc and its group companies filed a petition in a US court against Aurobindo Pharma Ltd and Dr Reddy's Laboratories alleging that the Indian drug makers were planning separately to come out with generic versions of its blockbuster multi-billion dollar drug Ibrance (palbociclib) before expiration of its patent.
Pfizer filed the possible patent infringement case against Aurobindo Pharma in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and Dr Reddy's in the New Jersey court.
Palbociclib is used to treat a certain type of breast cancer and works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.
Ibrance clocked nearly USD five billion revenues globally including USD 3.25 billion in the USA in 2019, according to Pfizer's 2019 annual report.
In March 2019, several generic companies notified us that they had filed abbreviated new drug applications with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seeking approval to market generic versions of Ibrance.
The generic companies assert the invalidity and non- infringement of two composition of matter patents and a method of use patent covering palbociclib, each of which expire in 2023, according to the annual report.
Pfizer in its petition stated that the Indian drug makers had submitted abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) to the USFDA seeking approval to engage in commercial manufacture, sale and importation of the intended generic drugs of ibrance capsules, 75 mg, 100 mg, and 125 mg prior to the expiration of the 730 patent.
