Watson submits Crestor copycat

pharmafile | October 28, 2010 | News story | Sales and Marketing AstraZeneca, Crestor, Watson, generic, patent 

 Watson Pharmaceuticals is seeking to launch a generic version of  AstraZeneca cholesterol blockbuster Crestor, exploiting weaknesses in its patent.

The US-based generics firm has applied for a new drug application for its rosuvastatin zinc tablets, a new salt version of AstraZeneca’s Crestor, with the US regulator.

In July, a number of generics companies were blocked from marketing their own version of the drug by a US judge in Delaware as the drug still has three years left on its patent.

AstraZeneca has filed a legal suit against Watson in the same court in Delaware seeking to prevent Watson from commercialising its product before it expires.

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AstraZeneca is hoping that the court will rule in its favour again and has asked for Watson’s application to be blocked until 30 March, 2013, or until “final resolution of the matter before the court”.

Crestor is indicated, as an addition to diet, to lower LDL cholesterol, raise HDL cholesterol, and slow the progression of atherosclerosis.

IMS Health figures for the 12 months ending 30 June, 2010 show that Crestor reached $3.5 billion in sales in the US, making it the third biggest seller for the Anglo-Swiss pharma firm.

 

Ben Adams

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