Astellas sues Apotex for patent infringement

Japanese drug company Astellas has filed a complaint against Canada-based Apotex for allegedly infringing its patents centring on the drug Myrbetriq (mirabegron).

Myrbetriq is a treatment for patients with an overactive bladder.

The case, which was filed on Friday, October 21, in the US District Court for the District of Delaware, arose after Apotex filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application with the Food and Drug Administration, seeking approval to manufacture a generic version of the drug before the expiration of the patents involved.

Apotex has allegedly infringed four patents, which are 7,342,117; 7,982,049; 8,835,474, and RE44,872.

Astellas has asked the court to declare that its patents are valid.

It has also asked for a permanent injunction restraining Apotex from bringing the generic drug to market, as well as an award of costs and expenses for bringing the case to court.