Teva sues nine companies for Copaxone patent infringement

Teva has filed a  complaint against nine pharmaceutical companies including Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Sandoz and Mylan for alleged patent infringement over Copaxone (glatiramer acetate injection), a treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis.  The case, which was filed on December 19 in the US District Court for the District of Delaware, arose after each of the nine companies filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application with the Food and Drug Administration.  The other companies which have been sued are Synthon Pharmaceuticals, Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Biocon and Apotex.  According to the complaint, the nine companies have allegedly sought approval to market a generic version of Copaxone before the expiration of US patent number 9,402,874, which is owned by Teva.  Teva has asked the court for a judgment that the nine companies have infringed its patent covering Copaxone.  It has also asked the court to enjoin them from bringing the generics to market, as well as for an award of damages.