Celgene, Dr Reddy's abandon cancer drug patent dispute

Bristol-Myers Squibb subsidiary, Celgene has settled its lawsuit against India-based drug maker Dr Reddy's over a generic version of the blockbuster cancer treatment, Pomalyst (pomalidomide).

The two companies confirmed their withdrawal from the litigation at the US District Court for the District of New Jersey on January 28.

In February, last year, Celgene sued manufacturer Dr Reddy’s Laboratories over its proposals to produce and market generic versions of Pomalyst)—a multiple myeloma treatment.

The Indian company planned to create 1mg, 2mg, 3mg and 4mg generics for import to the US, which Celgene had held would be tantamount to infringement given that nine Pomalyst patents were not due to expire until 2037.

Dr Reddy’s contended in its Abbreviated New Drug Application to the US Food and Drug Administration that these patents would not be infringed by the advent of a generic version because they were invalid.

In the letter to Virginia District Judge Esther Salas last week, Celgene confirmed that it had reached an “amicable resolution” of its dispute with Dr Reddy’s and it requested a consent judgment directed to US patent numbers: 8,673,939; 8,735,428; 9,993,467; 10,093,647; 10,093,648; 10,093,649; and 10,555,939 and a final judgment regarding US patent numbers 8,198,262 and 8,828,427.

These actions will lead to the case’s dismissal with prejudice.

Celgene merged with US pharma company Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2019, and specialises in developing treatments for severe and life-threatening conditions.

Did you enjoy reading this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox.