Ranbaxy to appeal injunction against sales of Quinapril

Mar 30 2005

Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (Ranbaxy) announced today that the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey hearing the preliminary injunction motion brought by Pfizer against Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (Teva) and Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RPI) enjoined Teva and RPI from selling RPI's quinapril tablets (5, 10, 20, and 40 mg).

Pfizer had asserted that RPI's quinapril tablets, which have been marketed through an exclusivity relinquishment arrangement with Teva, were infringing U.S. Patent No. 4,743,450 literally and under the doctrine of equivalents.

Jay Deshmukh, Ranbaxy's Vice President, Intellectual Property, stated that while Teva and RPI will comply with the preliminary injunction they also will immediately file with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit an appeal to have the injunction lifted and a motion to expedite the appeal. Regarding the appeal, Mr. Deshmukh further stated that RPI is confident that it will be able to make a compelling argument in support of its non-infringement position.

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("RPI") based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited ("RLL"), India's largest pharmaceutical company. RPI is engaged in the sale and distribution of generic and branded prescription products in the U.S. healthcare system.