Court rules in favor of Sandoz on Toprol Xl patent

Sandoz was pleased to learn this week that the U.S. Court of Appeals in St. Louis has affirmed a summary judgment by U.S. District Judge Rodney Sippel invalidating patent protection on Toprol XL, a beta blocker used to treat angina, heart failure, and high blood pressure.

Sandoz introduced metoprolol succinate 25 mg extended release tablets, a generic equivalent of Toprol XL, in the U.S. late last year. Sandoz announced this past May that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted final approval to its abbreviated new drug application for metoprolol succinate 50 mg ER.

Sandoz, a division of the Novartis group, is a global leader in the field of generic pharmaceuticals, offering a wide array of high-quality, affordable products that are no longer protected by patents. Sandoz has a portfolio of more than 840 compounds in over 5,000 forms worldwide and sells its products in more than 110 countries. Key product groups include antibiotics, treatments for central nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal medicines, cardiovascular treatments and hormone therapies. Sandoz develops, produces and markets these drugs along with pharmaceutical and biotechnological active substances and anti-infectives. In addition to the strong organic growth in recent years, Sandoz has made a series of acquisitions including Lek (Slovenia), Sabex (Canada), Hexal (Germany) and Eon Labs (U.S.). In 2006, Sandoz employed approximately 21,000 people worldwide and posted sales of USD 6 billion.