Friday, Jan 15, 2021

By Narayana Krishna

HYDERABAD – Pfizer Inc and associate companies have sued Aurobindo Pharmaceuticals Ltd in a US court for patent infringement of its arthritis drug Xeljanz.

The patent violation petition was filed on Jan 11 at the US District Court for the District court of Delaware, according to a court document reviewed by Cogencis.

In November, Aurobindo Pharma had informed Pfizer about filing an Abbreviated New Drug Application with the US Food & Drug

Administration, seeking approval to make a generic of Xeljanz, Tofacitinib, in 5- and 10-mg dosages.

Xeljanz is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis.

Pfizer sought the injunction order to prevent Aurobindo Pharma and its US arm from making and selling the drug in the US before its patent expiry.

Pfizer’s patents on the said drug set to expire in 2023 and 2025.

At 0958 IST, shares of Aurobindo Pharma were 2.2% lower at 937.70 rupees on National Stock Exchange.  End

IST, or Indian Standard Time, is five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT

Edited by Subham Mitra

Cogencis Tel +91 (11) 4220-1000

Send comments to feedback@cogencis.com

.