Actavis and Pfizer settle Celebrex litigation
Actavis has entered into an agreement with Pfizer to settle all outstanding patent litigation related to Pfizer’s arthritis drug Celebrex (celecoxib).
Under the agreement, Pfizer will grant Actavis a licence to market its generic celecoxib capsules in 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg and 400 mg strengths from December this year.
A spokesperson for Pfizer told LSIPR that under certain conditions, the licence will be royalty-bearing until the patent expires on December 2, 2015.
He added: "The company will continue its defense of the patent, which it believes is valid and was properly granted by the Patent Office, and will pursue all appropriate remedies for infringement."
On April 17, Teva announced that it too had settled all Celebrex patent litigation with Pfizer.
Celebrex is protected by four patents—the first of which is due to expire on May 30. It is one of Pfizer's best selling drugs and generated $2.9 billion in sales in 2013.
