Impax Labs may launch Flomax generic after patent settlement

HAYWARD, Calif. A generic drug maker may have the opportunity to launch a version of a prostate disorder drug under a settlement with the branded version’s manufacturers.

Impax Labs announced Wednesday that it had settled patent litigation over the benigh prostatic hyperplasia drug Flomax (tamsulosin hydrochloride) by entering a consent judgment with Astellas Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals confirming the validity of the patent and its infringement of it.

Under the terms of the settlement, Impax will have the opportunity to launch its generic version of Flomax in March 2010, before the expiration of market exclusivity for the drug’s use in children. Further terms were not disclosed.

According to Wolters Kluwer Health, Flomax capsules in the 0.4mg strength had sales of $1.9 billion for the 12 months ended in August of this year.