Lupin, Unichem Laboratories among global companies fined by European Commission

MUMBAI: The European Commission's antitrust authorities have slapped a fine of 427.7 million euros on a group of pharmaceutical companies including India's Lupin, Unichem Laboratories and the local unit of Mylan, accusing them of working together to block the generic entry of a blockbuster blood-pressure drug.

French drug maker Servier, the patent holder for Perindopril, along with five generic drug makers through a series of deals made sure that cheaper generic versions of the drug weren't available to patients, said a news release from the antitrust body that started investigating the matter in 2009.

Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Slovenian Krka are the other two companies named by the antitrust authorities. A large part of the fine will be borne by Servier. Lupin is fined 40 million euros, followed by Mylan at 17 million euros and Unichem, nearly 14 million euros.

Lupin said it was "very disappointed" with the findings. "We remain confident of our position and intend to appeal the decision," a spokesperson said. Mylan Laboratories – the Indian unit of Mylan that was previously called Matrix Laboratories – didn't respond to an email seeking comment, while Unichem could not be reached.

The patent for Perindopril expired in 2003. But through a technology acquisition and a series of patent settlements with generic rivals, Servier implemented a strategy to exclude competitors and delay the entry of cheaper generic medicine to the market, the news release said.