Natco Pharma Ltd’s plan to sell multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone is likely to be further delayed with the patent battle between Natco and the innovator company Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd among others, entering a new phase.
Early this week, the US Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal filed by Israel-based Teva on Copaxone patent litigation involving Mylan Inc and its marketing partner Natco.
The drug makers involved in generic forms of Copaxone include Sandoz Inc and its partner Momenta Pharma Inc.
According to Teva, the court has agreed to hear its appeal and Teva remains committed to pursuing all options to protect its intellectual property for Copaxone.
“...that the Us Supreme Court agreed to hear appeal in a patent fight on Copaxone. The company continues to believe that Teva’s 808 patent is invalid for indefiniteness,” Natco said. It may be noted that last year, the US Court of Appeals reversed a district court’s earlier finding related to Teva’s US patent for the drug and allowed Mylan and Natco to launch the generic Copaxone in May, 2013 subject to FDA approval.