Glenmark wins US patent suit over generic hypertension drug

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has got a favourable verdict from a US court in its patent litigation against Abbott Laboratories and Sanofi-Aventis over blood pressure reduction drug 'Tarka'.

The verdict paves the way for the city-based firm to launch its generic version of the drug, industry sources said.

When contacted, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals officials declined to comment.

As per the information available, the US District Court of New Jersey on Monday rejected pleas by Abbott Laboratories and Sanofi-Aventis to restrain the Indian firm from launching its generic version of the drug in the US market.

The total market for Tarka in the US market is around $60 million per annum.

Glenmark has already got approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for launching the drug in the US market.

In 2007, Glenmark through its wholly-owned subsidiary, had filed an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for Tarka, seeking marketing exclusivity for 180 days.

Glenmark shares today closed on the BSE at Rs 258, up by 0.3 per cent from the previous closing.