Mylan launches generic Norvasc |
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Fri, 23 Mar 2007 20:27
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PITTSBURGH (AP) - Drug maker Mylan Laboratories Inc. said Friday it launched a generic version of Pfizer Inc.'s blood pressure medication, triggering a six-month generic marketing exclusivity period.The company launched 2.5-milligram, 5-milligram and 10-milligram tablets of amlodipine besylate, the active ingredient of Norvasc. Last year, Pfizer booked total Norvasc sales of $4.86 billion.On Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed a lower court ruling backing Pfizer's Norvasc patent. The lower court ruling concerned an appeal by Canadian generic drug maker Apotex Inc., which lost a patent challenge in January 2006. Mylan had lost a patent challenge last month.However, Mylan claims it has 180 days of generic marketing exclusivity because it was the first to file with the Food and Drug Administration for the drug. Apotex has a tentative approval from the FDA.Pfizer representatives were not available for immediate comment Friday, although on Thursday the company said it would try to get the appeals court ruling in the Apotex case changed.Mylan shares, which jumped 5.2 percent to close at $20.55 on Thursday, fell 28 cents to $20.28 in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Shares of Pfizer fell 13 cents to $25.66 on the NYSE.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Pfizer wins Norvasc claim over Mylan 