Sun Pharma, Novartis reach agreement on Exelon

MUMBAI, India Sun Pharmaceuticals and Novartis have reached an out-of-court settlement in relation to Novartis’ Alzheimer’s drug Exelon, according to published reports.

“Under the terms of the settlement, Sun Pharma will not market generic Exelon in the U.S. until sometime prior to the expiration of the patents covering Exelon. The specific date on which Sun may launch and the other terms of the agreement are confidential,” said Sun Pharma in a statement.

Sun Pharma, being one of the first to file an application to sell generic Exelon in the U.S, was eligible to share a 180-day marketing exclusivity on the drug. However, had it launched its generic version of Exelon before reaching an agreement with Novartis, it would have done so at risk of damage claims by Novartis for patent infringement.

Exelon had sales of about $200 million last year in the U.S.