Forest, Merz settle NAMENDA patent infringement litigation

Jul 23 2010

Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) Forest Laboratories Holdings, Ltd., Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA, and Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH announced today that they have entered into settlement agreements with all remaining defendants in patent infringement litigation related to Forest's NAMENDA® (memantine hydrochloride) immediate release tablets. Under the settlement agreements, the first generic versions of memantine would be able to enter the market on January 11, 2015. Specifically, under the terms of the settlement agreements reached, and subject to review of the settlement terms by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Forest and Merz will provide licenses to each of Amneal, Watson, Dr. Reddy's, Lupin, Mylan, Orchid, Sun, Teva, Upsher-Smith, and Wockhardt that will permit these companies to launch their generic versions of NAMENDA® as of the date that is the later of (a) three calendar months prior to the expiration of U.S. Patent No. 5,061,703, including any extensions and/or pediatric exclusivities or (b) the date each company receives final FDA approval of its ANDA, or earlier in certain circumstances.