Sanofi, Abbott sue Glenmark over Tarka patent

MUMBAI, India Sanofi Aventis and Abbott have filed a lawsuit against Glenmark Pharmaceuticals in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, according to reports. The lawsuit is to prevent Glenmark from manufacturing Trandolapril/Verapamil Hydrochloride, the generic of the anti-hypertensive drug Tarka.

The two companies are seeking a court order blocking Glenmark from selling the drug until the patent expires in 2015. Glenmark believes it is the only applicant to have filed an application for this product with a paragraph IV certification. If Glenmark successfully challenges the patent, it will be entitled to a 180-day exclusivity period.

The product had sales of $100 million in the U.S.