Natco loses US patent suit by Israeli pharma major Teva

MUMBAI: India's Natco Pharma has lost a patent infringement suit in the US filed by Israeli pharma major Teva over sale of Copaxone, a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis.

The ruling, by a US district court, might have repercussions on Natco's court case at Delhi High Court, where it is locked in a patent infringement suit with Teva over the same drug, analysts said.

Natco said it will appeal once the court's full order is available. "...Natco is disappointed in the court's decision. While the company has not yet had the opportunity to review the court's opinion, it will fully investigate all available options for appeal once the court's full opinion becomes available," said M Adinarayana, company secretary, Natco Pharma. Analysts said the ruling poses huge challenge for Natco's future growth, as it had banked on this drug to expand in the US markets.