Meda settles US Astelin patent litigation with Cobalt
Swedish pharma company Meda, through its wholly owned US subsidiary Meda Pharmaceuticals Inc., has entered into a settlement agreement with Cobalt Pharmaceuticals that resolves the US patent litigation regarding Cobalt's proposed generic version of Astelin.
Swedish pharma company Meda, through its wholly owned US subsidiary Meda Pharmaceuticals Inc., has entered into a settlement agreement with Cobalt Pharmaceuticals that resolves the US patent litigation regarding Cobalt's proposed generic version of Astelin.
Astelin (azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray) is used for treatment of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. The product is protected in the US by a patent that expires on 1 November 2010, with paediatric exclusivity extending until 1 May 2011.
The settlement agreement resolves the patent infringement action filed by Meda after Cobalt's submission of an Abbreviated New Drug Application to the US FDA for a generic version of Astelin in July 2007. Under the agreement, Cobalt admits infringement of Meda's patent.
The settlement agreement allows Cobalt to launch a generic version of Astelin, under a licence from Meda, on 28 August 2010 at the earliest. In such case, Cobalt will pay 32.5% of their net sales of this product to Meda until 1 February 2011.
"With this settlement agreement, Meda has no further patent litigations pending in the US for Astelin." confirmed ceo Anders Loenner.