AstraZeneca takes Ivax to court over patents

AstraZeneca has filed a lawsuit against Ivax Corporation for alleged patent violations.

In a statement, the firm claimed that Ivax’s abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) -stating its intention to manufacture a generic version of AstraZeneca’s Nexium treatment ? infringed on several of its patents.

It added that the application was made prior to the expiration date of the patents concerned, with some not expiring until 2019.

“AstraZeneca has full confidence in and will continue vigorously to defend and enforce its intellectual property rights protecting Nexium,” the company said.

Teva Pharmaceuticals acquired Ivax pharmaceuticals at the beginning of the year. The parent company, its US subsidiary and Zenith Laboratories were mentioned in the statement in addition to IVAX.

Nexium is a 24-hour treatment for heartburn, prescribed to individuals who suffer from GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and suffer from recurring chest pain as a result.

In November the company began proceedings against generic maker Ranbaxy for also filing an ANDA for a generic version of Nexium, and also took legal action against Israeli drug firm Teva Pharmaceuticals for requesting approval for its own version of AstraZeneca’s Seroquel.

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