Natco Pharma Ltd faced a setback in its patent infringement case with Teva Pharmaceuticals pertaining to the generic version of Copaxone, a multiple sclerosis drug.
In a ruling delivered on June 22, 2012, the US District Court, New York, upheld the contention of Teva Pharmaceuticals that Natco’s abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for the generic version of Copaxone infringed all the asserted claims of Teva.
The Hyderabad-based company had filed an ANDA for Copaxone with its partner, Mylan Inc, in June 2008 and obtained a Para IV certification which challenged the existing patents held by Teva.
“Natco is disappointed with the court decision. While the company has not yet had the opportunity to review the court’s opinion, it will fully investigate all available options for appeal,’’ Natco said in a release on Monday.
Meanwhile, Natco’s scrip tanked over 10 per cent at Rs 335 within hours of opening for trading.