U.S. Court finds Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' Seasonique patent valid and enforceable

Apr 2 2010

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA) announced today that the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada has granted Teva's Motion for Summary Judgment with respect to the validity of U.S. Patent No. 7,320,969. In March 2008, Duramed, now Teva Women's Health, brought suit in the District of Nevada against Watson alleging infringement of Teva's patent as a result of Watson's filing of an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Seasonique®. The ANDA sought approval to market a generic version of Seasonique in the U.S. before the patent expires on January 30, 2024.

“Seasonique is an important part of our Women's Health portfolio and offers women a safe and effective extended-regimen birth control option.”

"We are pleased with the Court's decision finding our patent to be valid and enforceable," stated William S. Marth, President & CEO of Teva North America. "Seasonique is an important part of our Women's Health portfolio and offers women a safe and effective extended-regimen birth control option."

Teva's motion sought judgment on the remaining liability issue in the case, as Watson had previously conceded infringement of Teva's patent. Since the Court granted Teva's motion in its entirety, trial is unnecessary. Separate litigation is pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey with respect to Mylan/Famy Care's and Lupin's ANDAs for Seasonique. Teva is currently analyzing the impact of this decision on those cases.