Indian Pharma Firm Drops Patent Challenge Against Novartis' Hypertension Drug Diovan

Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2007 8:41 PM

(RTTNews) - Gurgaon, India-based pharma company Ranbaxy Laboratories has reportedly changed its Para IV application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding Novartis AG (NVS)'s hypertension drug Diovan into a Para III application. Para IV applications are filed by generic makers challenging the validity of the drug manufacturer's patent. With the change in application, Ranbaxy commits not to sell its generic version of Diovan before the patent expiry date in September 2012. Ranbaxy's challenge was against the patent covering valsartan, an active ingredient of Diovan, which led to Novartis filing a patent infringement lawsuit against the generic maker. For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com