Mylan, Pfizer launch generic Norvasc |
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Published
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Fri, 23 Mar 2007 23:01
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NEW YORK (AP) - Pfizer will immediately begin selling a generic version of its blood pressure medication Norvasc following an announcement by generic drug maker Mylan that it had launched its generic version of the product, the pharmaceutical company said Friday.On Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that Pfizer's Norvasc patent was invalid in a case involving another generic maker, Apotex Inc.Mylan Laboratories Inc. lost a patent challenge over the drug last month but already had U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to sell a generic version of Norvasc.Mylan claims it has 180 days of generic marketing exclusivity because it was the first to file with the FDA for the drug. However, Apotex, which has a tentative approval from the FDA, said it will begin selling a version of the drug soon. Apotex declined to be more specific.Mylan launched 2.5-milligram, 5-milligram and 10-milligram tablets of amlodipine besylate, the active ingredient of Norvasc. Last year, Pfizer Inc. booked total Norvasc sales of $4.86 billion.Pfizer reiterated on Friday that it was pursuing legal remedies to protect Norvasc's patent through September. The Norvasc patent expires on Sunday but the company's monopoly was slated to be extended until late September because it agreed to test the drug for children.Mylan shares, which jumped 5.2 percent to close at $20.55 on Thursday, fell 23 cents to close at $20.32 on the New York Stock Exchange. Shares of Pfizer fell 13 cents to close at $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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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 