Phama: War of Patents Intensifies

Pfizer has filed patent infringement suits against Sun Pharma, Wockhardt and Lupin to prevent these companies from securing marketing approvals in the US for the generic equivalents of its high-selling neuropathic pain management drug ‘Lyrica’. The decision to sue the three Indian companies is on the back of the latter filing Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) seeking marketing approvals for generic versions of ‘Lyrica’. These three Indian companies have challenged the validity of several ‘Lyrica’ patents that are expected to expire in 2018. ‘Lyrica’ is one of Pfizer’s top-selling drug that treats central nervous system disorders. It had sales of US$ 2.57 bn globally last year.