Lupin loses patent suit in America

MUMBAI: Pharmaceutical company Lupin on Thursday said a district court in the US has ruled against the company in a patent infringement suit filed by Sanofi-Aventis and King Pharmaceuticals.

The US District Court for the eastern district of Virginia has issued an opinion following the completion of a trial on Sanofi-Aventis US Patent No. 5061722 relating to Altace (Ramipril) drug and found the patent to be valid, Lupin informed the BSE. Ramipril is used for treatment of high blood pressure.

“It was a very close call for us and we are disappointed that the Court found the patent to be valid, albeit reluctantly, in the judge’s own words,” said Lupin MD Kamal Sharma. The company plans to appeal this decision to the federal circuit court, Mr Sharma added.

The court’s decision followed a suit filed by King Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi-Aventis against Lupin alleging infringement on the ‘5061722’ patent. The trial was completed in June ’06.

The court’s decision arises from a suit filed by King Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi-Aventis against the Company alleging patent infringement on the 5061722 patent listed in the FDA’s Orange Book. The trial was completed in June ’06.