US District Court rules in favor of Watson in generic Mucinex patent infringement suit

Feb 10 2011

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI), a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, announced today that the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida has ruled that Watson's generic versions of Mucinex®, Mucinex® D and Mucinex® DM (Guaifenesin, Dextromethorphan HBr/ Guaifenesin, and Pseudoephedrine/Guaifenesin) Extended-Release products, do not infringe U.S. Patent No. 6,372,252 (the "'252 Patent").

The Company said it is continuing to seek final FDA approval of the products.

In 2009, Reckitt Benckiser sued Watson Laboratories, Inc. for patent infringement related to the generic versions of Mucinex®.  The Mucinex® products had total U.S. sales of approximately $500 million for the twelve months ending December 31, 2010, according to IMS Health and IRI and are indicated to help loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to rid the bronchial passageways of bothersome mucus and make coughs more productive.