THIS STORY HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR EASY PRINTING

Genzyme sues Indian drug maker

Bloomberg News / March 7, 2009
  • Email|
  • Print|
  • Single Page|
  • |
Text size – +

WILMINGTON, Del. - Genzyme Corp., the world's largest maker of drugs for rare genetic disorders, sued Indian drug maker Lupin Ltd. for allegedly infringing four US patents for kidney medicine Renagel.

Lupin is wrongly using the technology covered by patents awarded from 1996 to 2006 with its plans to market versions of Renagel tablets, Genzyme said in a complaint filed Thursday in federal court in Wilmington, Del.

Lupin sent a letter to Cambridge-based Genzyme Jan. 20 that "opined that the patents are invalid, unenforceable, and or will not be infringed," according to the lawsuit.

Genzyme seeks a permanent injunction against Lupin copies.

Genzyme had sales last year of $678 million for Renagel and a companion drug, Renvela, the company said last month.

Renagel is used to control phosphorous levels in patients on kidney dialysis. Genzyme reported $4.6 billion in total revenue for 2008.

A US spokeswoman for Lupin said the company had no comment. Lupin had $671.9 million in sales last fiscal year.

© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
  • Email
  • Email
  • Print
  • Print
  • Single page
  • Single page
  • Reprints
  • Reprints
  • Share
  • Share
  • Comment
  • Comment
 
  • Share on DiggShare on Digg
  • Tag with Del.icio.us Save this article
  • powered by Del.icio.us
Your Name Your e-mail address (for return address purposes) E-mail address of recipients (separate multiple addresses with commas) Name and both e-mail fields are required.
Message (optional)
Disclaimer: Boston.com does not share this information or keep it permanently, as it is for the sole purpose of sending this one time e-mail.