Eisai files lawsuit against Teva
Eisai Co, Tokyo, Japan, and Eisai Inc, New Jersey, US, have filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the US against Teva, Pennsylvania, US, regarding its submission of an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) to the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride).
Eisai Co, Tokyo, Japan, and Eisai Inc, New Jersey, US, have filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the US against Teva, Pennsylvania, US, regarding its submission of an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) to the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride).
Eisai is claiming that its donepezil composition of matter patent is valid until its expiration date of 25 November 2010 and says that it intends to 'vigorously enforce and defend that patent'.
Approved by the US FDA in 1996 , Aricept is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that increases the concentration of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, and is currently indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. It is marketed in 76 countries worldwide, according to Eisai.