Indivior PLC (LON:INDV) has won a temporary restraining order preventing one of its competitors from launching a generic version of its blockbuster opioid treatment.
Last year, regulators ruled that US drugmaker Alvogen was clear to launch its version of Suboxone as it didn’t infringe on any of the three patents put forward by Indivior.
READ: Indivior spikes as it reiterates full-year guidance
FTSE 250-listed Indivior, keen to protect its star asset, appealed the ruling, claiming that Alvogen’s under-the-tongue film infringed some of its other patents as well.
It has now been granted a TRO which will remain in place until 7 February, when a preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for.
“We are pleased that the District of New Jersey has granted Indivior's motion for a TRO," said chief executive Shaun Thaxter.
“We will continue to vigorously pursue our infringement cases against Alvogen to protect our SUBOXONE Sublingual Film patent portfolio, including continuing to pursue the appeal of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware's non-infringement decision related to U.S. patents 8,603,514, as well as litigating our recently listed Orange Book patents for SUBOXONE Film.”
Not just Alvogen…
It is not just Alvogen which Indivior is having to fend off – it is pursuing legal action against Teva, Actavis and Dr Reddy’s which have all developed a generic rival to Suboxone.
Indian firm Dr Reddy’s has perhaps been the most aggressive, launching its copycat version ‘at risk’ last summer, a move which slashed Suboxone’s market share.
Indivior shares edged 0.4% higher to 114.4p in early deals on Friday.