The cat is finally out of the bag. After ostensibly denying reports of any kind of settlement with Ranbaxy, AstraZeneca has concluded an agreement with Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, which would allow Ranbaxy to start exclusive sales of a generic version of ulcer drug Nexium from May 27, 2014 in the US.
This is in addition to the 180-day period following that date during which time Ranbaxy shall have the exclusive marketing rights to the drug. According to Livemint, Ranbaxy has conceded that all the six AstraZeneca patents on Nexium are valid and enforceable. Livemint further reports that:
“In another pact signed by the two companies, Ranbaxy will formulate a significant portion of AstraZeneca’s US supply of Nexium from May 2010. Ranbaxy will also start supplying raw material for manufacture of Esomeprazole magnesium to Astrazeneca from 2009.”
One will have to wait and watch if AstraZeneca manages to get Teva Pharma too off its back.
