Orion comments on ANDA filed by Wockhardt Limited for a generic version of Orion's proprietary drug Stalevo® (25/200/100; 37.5/200/150 and 50/200/200 mg strengths) in the United States

Company states the realisation of generic competition is still neither certain nor imminent

Orion Corporation has been informed that an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) has been filed by Wockhardt Limited (Wockhardt) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking authorisation to produce and market generic versions of Stalevo® (specifically the 25/200/100; 37.5/200/150 and 50/200/200 mg strengths) in the United States. Stalevo is an enhanced levodopa treatment originated by Orion Corporation and marketed in the United States by its exclusive licensee, Novartis, for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.  At this point, the ANDA review process is just beginning and the realisation of generic competition is neither certain nor imminent. 

Orion previously sued Wockhardt for patent infringement when it challenged certain Orion U.S. patents as part of earlier filed ANDAs on the 12.5/200/50 mg strength of Stalevo® and on a generic version of Orion's proprietary drug, Comtan® (entacapone). Those actions are pending in the United States. Wockhardt's ANDA for Stalevo contains so-called Paragraph IV certifications challenging Orion U.S. patents Nos. 5,135,950; 5,446,194; 6,500,867; and 6,797,732 covering Stalevo and listed in the Orange Book, the FDA's official listing of approved drug products.

Paragraph IV certifications are not uncommon in the U.S.  Orion is, together with Novartis, currently evaluating its legal options to protect its rights. Under the U.S. system, if a patent owner brings a lawsuit against an ANDA applicant within a certain time limit, there will be a 30-month stay of final FDA approval. During that time, the FDA can give only a tentative approval to the ANDA applicant unless the applicant obtains a favorable decision on all challenged patents in the lawsuit.

Orion is dedicated to treating and preventing disease by discovery and developing innovative medicinal treatments. In 2007, Orion generated net sales of EUR 683.6 million, invested EUR 98.5 million in research and development and employed approximately 3,180 people. Orion corporate headquarters are in Espoo, Finland.  For more information, please visit:  http://www.orion.fi/english/.

 

Orion Corporation

 

 

 

Timo Lappalainen           Olli Huotari

President and CEO        Senior VP, Corporate Functions

Olli Huotari, Senior VP, Corporate Functions, phone +358 10 426 3054

 

 

 

Publisher:

Communications

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Homepage: www.orion.fi