Sanofi sues Merck over Lantus patents

Sanofi has filed a complaint against Merck for allegedly infringing ten of its patents centring on the diabetes drugs Lantus (insulin glargine injection) and Lantus SoloSTAR.

The complaint was filed in the US District Court for the District of Delaware on September 16.

Lantus and Lantus SoloSTAR are treatments for patients suffering with diabetes.

The case arose after Merck submitted a New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking the FDA’s approval to commercially manufacture and sell a generic version of the drug.

Sanofi has asked the district court to give a permanent injunction preventing Merck from bringing the generic version of the drug to the market before the expiration of the patents involved.

The French-based company is also asking the court to order an award of expenses and attorneys’ fees.