Generic version of allergy aid Allegra
to be sold by Barr, Teva
07 Sep, 2005
Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Teva Pharmaceutical
Industries Ltd. are planning to sell a generic form of Sanofi-Aventis's
Allegra allergy tablets without
waiting for approval from a court.
Barr, which has got the exclusive marketing rights
on generic Allegra for 180 days,
and Teva, the world's biggest generic-drug company, will share the
profits and the risk that a judge will rule against them in a patent-infringement
suit by Sanofi.
Allegra generated about $1.4 billion. sales for
Sanofi, based in Paris, in the 12 months that ended in June, 2005.
According to Barr, the generic drug could take 70 percent of that
market, unless Sanofi decides to launch its own unbranded version
of the drug.
Barr began limited sales of the drug last week
in a ''surprise'' launch intended to establish its exclusive rights
for the six-month period. Barr also wanted to catch Sanofi off guard
so it wouldn't file court papers to block the sales or launch of
its own generic version of Allegra.
This agreement and launch represent an extraordinary
opportunity for consumers and for both the companies. The agreement
with Teva will enable Barr to maximize the opportunity, while sharing
the risk of the ongoing litigation.
To read more, login: http://www.mcall.com/business/local/all-tevasep07,0,3903474.story?coll=all-businesslocal-hed
