Pfizer sues Aurobindo over Toviaz

US drugs company Pfizer has filed a complaint against India-based generics company Aurobindo Pharma for allegedly infringing its patents centring on the drug Toviaz (fesoterodine fumarate).

Toviaz is used to treat symptoms of an overactive bladder, which includeurinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence.

The case arose after Aurobindo filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the Food and Drug Administration, seeking approval to market a generic version of Pfizer’s drug.

The application was made prior to the expiration of the patents involved, which are US patent numbers  6,858,650; 7,384,980; 7,855,230; 7,985,772; and 8,338,478.

In August, Aurobindo sent a letter to Pfizer, stating that its ANDA did not infringe the patents involved, as the patents were invalid or unenforceable.

On September 30, Pfizer asked the US District Court for the District of Delaware to prevent Aurobindo from bringing Toviaz to the market.

It is also seeking monetary relief, in the event that Aurobindo brings the drug to the market.

Earlier this year, Mylan and Apicore  sued Aurobindo for patent infringement, claiming that the company had infringed Apicore’s patents for Isosulfan Blue, an injection used for sentinel lymph node mapping.