Pfizer drags Alembic, Breckenridge to court over patent

Accuses the two firms of selling generic version of its anti-depression drug

Alembic Pharma today said Pfizer has filed a lawsuit against it and US firm Breckenridge Pharma for their move to market generic tablets for treating depression.

The tablets in the strengths of 50 mg and 100 mg are a generic version of Pfizer Inc's Pristiq tablets.

"Breckenridge Pharmaceuticals Inc, USA and Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd were named as co defendants in a Paragraph IV lawsuit filed by Pfizer Inc concerning their ANDA for desvenlafaxine succinate extended release tablets...," Alembic Pharmaceuticals said in a filing to BSE.

Alembic is the sponsor and manufacturer of the abbreviated the new drug application (ANDA), which will be marketed exclusively by Breckenridge, the company said.

Both the companies filed their Paragraph IV ANDA on the first possible submission date and expect to share 180 days exclusivity with other first filers, it added.

According to industry data Pristiq generated sales of $577 million, the Vadodara based firm said.

Alembic shares were trading at Rs 55.55 per scrip in the afternoon on BSE, up 2.02% from its previous close.