patent
Tashatuvango / shutterstock.com
18 October 2016Americas

Astellas sues Japanese rival over Myrbetriq generic

Japanese pharmaceutical company Astellas has filed a complaint against another Japanese company, Sawai Pharmaceutical, 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 in the US District Court for the District of Delaware yesterday, October 17, arose after Sawai filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application with the Food and Drug Administration seeking approval to manufacture a generic version of the drug.

The patents involved in the case are US numbers 6,346,532; 7,342,117; 7,982,049; 8,835,474; and RE44,872.

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

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