Drug firm Glenmark Pharmaceuticals today said it has launched generic version of an anti-malarial drug, Malarone patented by Glaxo in the UK after a court put aside the patent on the drug.
Glenmark Generics (Europe) has launched the first generic of Atovaquone Proguanil in the UK market, following the revocation of the Malarone patent in the High Court in UK, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said in a statement.
“The case involved the revocation of Glaxo’s patent for its anti-malarial product ‘Malarone’ Following proceedings in the High Court, Justice Arnold revoked Glaxo’s patent on the basis that it was obvious,” it added.
Atovaquone Proguanil, branded as Malarone, is indicated for the treatment of malaria, particularly where there is likely to be resistance.
Glenmark Generics (Europe) and Mylan had fought a legal battle against The Wellcome Foundation and Glaxo Group Ltd over the validity of patent on Atovaquone Proguanil.
Based on IMS Health sales data for the 12-months ended September 2012, Atovaquone Proguanil garnered sales of €20.69 million in the UK.
Glenmark Generics (Europe) Ltd, which is a part of Glenmark Generics Ltd, is headquartered in the UK and operates through its own entities and distribution partners in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Ireland.
Glenmark Generics Ltd is a subsidiary of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Shares of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals today closed at Rs 496.55 apiece on the BSE, down 1.52 per cent from their previous close.