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.
ABOUT ORION
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
Contact persons:
Olli Huotari, Senior VP, Corporate Functions, phone +358 10 426 3054
Statements in this news release other than historical information are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially depending on factors such as the availability of resources, the timing and effects of regulatory actions, the strength of competition, the outcome of litigation and the effectiveness of patent protection. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties is set forth in Annual Report for 2007.
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Orion Corporation
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