US court rules against Sun Pharma over cancer drug

NEW DELHI: French drugmaker Sanofi today said a US court has ruled in its favour in a patent litigation against Sun Pharmaceuticals over Eloxatin (oxaliplatin), a drug used to treat colon cancer.

The US District Court for the District of New Jersey has ruled against Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd in favour of Sanofi US, with respect to a contractual dispute arising from the resolution of the Eloxatin (oxaliplatin) patent litigation, Sanofi said in a statement.

Mumbai-based Sun had appealed against the District Court's April 2010 ruling, which required the Indian firm to stop selling its generic oxaliplatin products by June 30, 2010.

The District Court's latest ruling maintains Eloxatin's US market exclusivity through August 9, 2012, Sanofi said.

In 2009, US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) had approved Sun Pharma's abbreviated new drug application (ANDAs) for generic Eloxatin in injection form.

Shares of Sun Pharma today closed at Rs 474.80 on the BSE, down 2.62 per cent from its previous close.