By Baltazar Gomez --
Last month, Astellas Pharma Inc., King Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced that U.S. subsidiaries of Astellas, along with Item Development AB and King have signed settlement agreements with respect to U.S. Patent Nos. 5,731,296 and 5,070,877. The lawsuits involving the '296 and '877 patents were filed against Teva's subsidiaries after the subsidiaries submitted abbreviated new drug applications for a generic version of Adenoscan® (adenosine injection), a pharmacologic stress agent. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Teva will be able to launch their generic version of Adenoscan® pursuant to a license in September 2012, or earlier under certain conditions.
Adenoscan® is licensed and sold by Astellas in the U.S. as a pharmacologic stress agent and as an adjunct to thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in patients unable to exercise adequately. Adenoscan shows consistent maximal vasodilation of coronary arteries relative to intracoronary papaverine. The short half-life of Adenoscan® allows for short-acting pharmacologic effects, making Adenoscan® useful for diagnostic and risk evaluation in coronary artery disease.
Astellas Pharma U.S. Inc., located in Deerfield, Illinois, is a U.S. affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company that focuses on the areas of immunology, urology, anti-infectives, cardiovascular, and dermatology. King Pharmaceuticals, Inc., headquartered in Bristiol, Tennessee, develops novel branded prescription pharmaceuticals and acquires branded products. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., headquartered in Israel, develops, manufactures, and markets generic and human pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as animal health pharmaceutical products.
For additional information regarding the settlement, please see:
- Astellas' press release
- King Pharmaceuticals' press release
- Teva's press release
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