Content about Company Legal Issues

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — An appeals court has thrown out an attempt by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries to stop Watson Pharmaceuticals from selling a generic contraceptive, Watson said.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a lower court's June 16 decision to deny Duramed Pharmaceuticals' request for an injunction that would stop Watson from selling a generic version of Seasonique (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol [0.15 mg/0.03 mg] and ethinyl estradiol [0.01 mg]). Duramed originally was a subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, which Teva acquired in 2008.

ST. LOUIS — In an amendment dated Nov. 7 and filed to the Securities Exchange Commission on Tuesday, Express Scripts reduced its termination fee by 32% to $650 million. The termination fee is paid to one company when the other terminates the merger agreement.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a generic treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the company said.

Watson announced that it filed a regulatory approval application with the FDA for methylphenidate transdermal system, a patch designed to deliver the central nervous system stimulant methylphenidate over a nine-hour period. The drug is a generic version of Noven Pharmaceuticals' Daytrana.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — The Food and Drug Administration has granted tentative approval to a drug made by Perrigo for dermatosis of the scalp.

Perrigo's clobetasol propionate emulsion foam in the 0.05% strength is a generic version of Stiefel Labs' Olux-E Foam. Sales for the branded version of the drug were $40 million during the 12-month period ended in September, according to Wolters Kluwer.

CHICAGO — U.S. District Court judge Marvin Aspen ruled in favor of Walgreens on Thursday; Express Scripts' federal suit against Walgreens will be halted pending arbitration.

The Express Scripts charges against Walgreens of breach of contract now will move to arbitration. Express Scripts originally had objected to arbitration because the process would be too slow. However, there may be some sense of urgency as Judge Aspen scheduled a status hearing for Dec. 8.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan announced Wednesday that it filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a generic version of a drug for migraine headaches made by Endo Pharmaceuticals.

Mylan said it was the first to file for approval of a generic version of Frova (frovatriptan succinate EQ) tablets in the 2.5-mg strength. In response, Endo has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Mylan in response to the filing.

Frova had sales of $68.2 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic version of a contraceptive made by Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Watson said Thursday.

Watson announced the launch of Amethia (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol [0.15 mg/0.03 mg] and ethinyl estradiol [0.01 mg]) after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied Duramed’s request for a temporary injunction; a patent infringement lawsuit that Duramed filed against Watson remains pending.

NEW YORK — Winn-Dixie has filed suit against Dolgencorp, the parent company of Dollar General. The grocer confirmed that the suit was filed because Dolgencorp “knowingly violates legal, noncompete provisions of Winn-Dixie leases in shopping centers in which both businesses operate,” Winn-Dixie told the Jacksonville Business Journal in an email.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — A federal court has rejected Teva Pharmaceutical Industries’ efforts to prevent Watson from launching a generic version of one of its drugs, Watson said Friday.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada denied Duramed Pharmaceuticals’ request for an injunction to keep Watson’s generic version of the contraceptive Seasonique (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol 0.15 mg/0.03 mg) and ethinyl estradiol 0.01 mg from being launched.

Seasonique is made by Teva Women’s Health, the successor of Duramed.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Pfizer has filed suit against generic drug maker Impax Labs in connection with the latter’s attempt to market a generic drug for bladder problems.

Impax said Friday that Pfizer filed a patent infringement suit in the U.S. District Court of the District of New Jersey in connection with Impax’s attempt to market a generic version of Detrol (tolterodine tartrate) immediate-release tablets in the 1-mg and 2-mg strengths. The drug is used to treat overactive bladder and urinary incontinence.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Napo Pharmaceuticals has filed a lawsuit against Salix Pharmaceuticals, alleging that the latter breached commitments under an agreement to develop and commercialize a proprietary gastrointestinal compound.

Salix said that Napo's claims over its collaboration agreement concerning the development of crofelemer are without merit, adding that the drug maker plans to continue with the development and commercialization of crofelemer, in accordance with its past guidance and the terms of its collaboration agreement with Napo.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals is hoping to become the first company to market a generic treatment for cholesterol.

The drug maker said Wednesday that it had filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a generic version of Welchol (colesevelam hydrochloride) tablets in the 625-mg strength, made by Daiichi Sankyo, thus challenging the patents covering the drug.