Orchid Pharma settles patent row with Schering-Plough
BS Reporter / Chennai Aug 12, 2009, 11:52 IST
Chennai-based Pharma major Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals today said that it has settled patent litigation with Schering-Plough Corp SGP.N, a US-based drug maker. The issue was related to generic versions of its allergy medication, Clarinex.
The litigation was relating to Desloratadine Tablets, 5 mg and Desloratadine 2.5 mg and 5 mg Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODT), the generic versions of Schering-Plough's Clarinex and Clarinex RediTabs allergy medication. The agreement marks the end of all pending lawsuits filed and consolidated since 2006 in the US District Court of New Jersey.
Under the settlement, Orchid will have the right to market Desloratadine Tablets, 5 mg and Desloratadine 2.5 mg and 5 mg Orally Disintegrating Tablets in the US on July 01, 2012 and January 01, 2012 respectively, according to Orchid’s release. the agreement is subject to review by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, the release added.
According to reports, total US sales for Clarinex products were $295 million (around Rs 1,475 crore) in 2008.