Sun Pharma ends patent dispute with Actavis

Sun Pharmaceutical has announced its US subsidiary, Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, and other partners have entered into a settlement, ending the patent litigation with drug maker Actavis over anti-acne drug Absorica (isotretinoin capsules).

Under the settlement, Ranbaxy, its partners and Actavis have entered into a non-exclusive agreement which will allow Actavis to sell the generic version of Absorica in December 2020 which is nine months before the expiry of patent.

Ranbaxy and its partners Cipher Pharmaceuticals and Galephar Pharmaceutical Research had filed a suit against Actavis in 2013 for seeking US Food and Drug Administration’s approval to launch a generic version of the drug before expiry of the patent.

The patent to Absorica was held by Galpher but subsequently in 2012 Ranbaxy acquired the exclusive licence to distribute the products in the US.