Sanofi-aventis Sues Sun Pharmaceutical Over Allegra Generic
Sun is pursuing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market three dosage forms of the drug before the patents expire, according to the complaint filed Oct. 9 in federal court in Newark, New Jersey. Sanofi, Frances largest drugmaker, is asking a judge to bar Sun from selling the generic and for any damaged incurred if they begin marketing the drug.
Sanofi-Aventis “will be substantially and irreparably harmed by Suns infringement if not enjoined,” the company wrote in a legal filing.
In August, Sanofi sued Sun in Delaware seeking to stop a generic copy of the Taxotere cancer drug.
Paris-based Sanofi-Aventis is under pressure as several of its best-selling drugs, including the blood thinner Plavix, face generic competition. The company sued Canadas Apotex Inc. last year seeking to block that companys plan to sell a generic of Taxotere.
U.S.-based officials at Mumbai-based Sun didnt immediately return a call seeking comment.
The case is Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc v. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., 09-5179, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey (Newark).