Apotex markets generic Plavix

Apotex markets generic Plavix

Just a week after Apotex Corp. announced that it was going to market the first generic version of clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix) 75-mg tablets, the innovator companies-Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb-filed a request for an injunction in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, in an attempt to block Apotex from selling clopidogrel. The brand-name companies claim, among other things, that they are likely to win a pending patent case. Canadian-based Apotex will have 180 days of market exclusivity for clopidogrel. The drug is used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Clopidogrel sales in 2005 were more than $6 billion, and, as of June 2006, 2006 sales were $3.77 billion. The FDA approved Apotex' application for clopidogrel in January. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is looking into whether Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb tried to enter into a patent settlement with Apotex in order to delay the generic launch until 2011.

To see more Hot off the Press news articles, click here http://www.drugtopics.com/Hot+off+the+Press.