Generics/News

First generic celecoxib approved by FDA

Generics/News | Posted 13/06/2014

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on 30 May 2014 that it had approved the first generic versions of celecoxib capsules.

Sun Pharma’s Gujarat site under FDA import alert

Generics/News | Posted 06/06/2014

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries’ (Sun Pharma) response to the US import ban on products produced at the company’s Gujarat site is inadequate, according to a warning letter issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 7 May 2014.

Novartis settles Gleevec lawsuit with Sun Pharma

Generics/News | Posted 02/06/2014

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Sun Pharma) announced on 15 May 2014 that it had reached a settlement agreement with originator drug developer Novartis over litigation concerning generic Gleevec (imatinib mesylate).

FDA sued over generic celecoxib approval

Generics/News | Posted 09/05/2014

Generics makers Actavis and Mylan Pharmaceuticals (Mylan) have sued the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the agency’s decision to award exclusive rights to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) to sell a generic version of Pfizer’s blockbuster anti-inflammatory painkiller Celebrex (celecoxib).

Taiwan TWi gains FDA approval for generic nifedipine

Generics/News | Posted 11/04/2014

Taiwan’s TWi Pharmaceuticals (TWi) announced on 7 April 2014 the approval of its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for generic nifedipine by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Dr Reddy’s launches generic amlodipine/atorvastatin

Generics/News | Posted 04/04/2014

Indian generics giant Dr Reddy’s announced on 27 March 2014 the launch of its generic amlodipine/atorvastatin tablets in the US.

Celecoxib generics could come sooner than expected

Generics/News | Posted 28/03/2014

Pharma giant Pfizer confirmed on 12 March 2014 that the United States District Court for East Virginia had invalidated its reissue patent covering methods of treating osteoarthritis and other approved conditions with celecoxib, the active ingredient in its blockbuster anti-inflammatory painkiller Celebrex.

Indian generics makers face US recalls

Generics/News | Posted 21/03/2014

Indian generics makers are once again coming under US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scrutiny.

FDA approves generic osteoporosis drug

Generics/News | Posted 14/03/2014

FDA announced on 4 March 2014 that it had approved Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva’s) generic version of Eli Lilly’s osteoporosis drug Evista (raloxifene).

Teva and Ranbaxy settle unlawful competition investigation

Generics/News | Posted 07/03/2014

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on 19 February 2014 that he had reached a settlement with generics makers Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals (Ranbaxy) and Teva Pharmaceuticals (Teva) for entering into an anti-competitive arrangement.

Gilead to license hepatitis C drug to Indian generics firms

Generics/News | Posted 21/02/2014

Gilead Sciences (Gilead) has announced plans to license its breakthrough hepatitis C drug Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) to at least three Indian generics manufacturers. The announcement made in February 2014, comes three months after the company faced a ‘patent opposition’ filed at India’s Patent Office, which aimed to block them from gaining a patent for Sovaldi in India.

Sandoz gains Belgian approval for generic inhalation device

Generics/News | Posted 14/02/2014

In an example of the innovative nature of generics manufacturers, Sandoz, the generics unit of Swiss pharma giant Novartis, announced on 12 February 2014 that it had received marketing authorization in Belgium for AirFluSal Forspiro, an innovative new inhaler for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Forest Labs files lawsuit to stop generic memantine

Generics/News | Posted 07/02/2014

Forest Laboratories and Forest Laboratories Holdings (Forest) announced on 31 January 2014 that the company has filed a lawsuit in the US against several generics makers for their generic versions of Forest’s blockbuster Alzheimer’s disease treatment Namenda XR (memantine).

FDA issues Ranbaxy with Form 483 for violations at Toansa plant

Generics/News | Posted 24/01/2014

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals (Ranbaxy) is coming under scrutiny from US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) once again. One of the company’s key Indian facilities at Toansa, Punjab, has been issued a Form 483 by FDA.

ANI Pharmaceuticals acquires 31 generics from Teva

Generics/News | Posted 17/01/2014

US-based brand-name and generics manufacturer ANI Pharmaceuticals (ANI) announced on 26 December 2013 that it had acquired 31 previously marketed generic drugs from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva).

Sandoz gains Danish approval for innovative asthma inhaler

Generics/News | Posted 10/01/2014

Sandoz, the generics unit of Swiss pharma giant Novartis, announced on 18 December 2013 that it had received Danish marketing authorization for AirFluSal Forspiro, a novel inhaler for patients with asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

First generics of Cymbalta approved by FDA

Generics/News | Posted 10/01/2014

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on 11 December 2013 that it had approved the first generic versions of duloxetine delayed-release capsules, a prescription medicine used to treat depression and other conditions.

Sandoz makes deal with Shire for authorized Adderall XR generic

Generics/News | Posted 13/12/2013

Shire announced on 2 December 2013 that its subsidiary Shire US had entered into an agreement to supply an authorized generic version of its attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug Adderall XR (amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts) to Sandoz.

Hikma makes deal to enhance delivery of generic injectables

Generics/News | Posted 06/12/2013

Hikma Pharmaceuticals (Hikma) announced on 20 November 2013 that it had signed a long-term commercial supply contract with Unilife Corporation (Unilife) for the use of Unifill pre-filled syringes with a range of generic injectable drugs.

FDA approves first rabeprazole generics for treatment of GERD

Generics/News | Posted 29/11/2013

On 8 November 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the agency had approved the first generics of Aciphex (rabeprazole) delayed-release tablets, used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults and adolescents (ages 12 and up).

First generic 30 mg Focalin XR capsules approved

Generics/News | Posted 22/11/2013

On 18 November 2013, Mylan Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of generic dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release (ER) capsules, 30 mg.

Ranbaxy sues Actavis over generic acne drug

Generics/News | Posted 15/11/2013

Indian generics giant Ranbaxy Laboratories (Ranbaxy) is suing US generic drugmaker Actavis to try to stop the latter marketing a generic version of Ranbaxy’s acne drug Absorica (isotretinoin).

Good news for Ranbaxy plant in US

Generics/News | Posted 08/11/2013

Ranbaxy Laboratory’s (Ranbaxy) US-based plant, Ohm Laboratories (Ohm), has successfully passed an FDA inspection, according to an announcement on the generic drugmaker’s website.

FDA approves generic tobramycin inhalation solution

Generics/News | Posted 31/10/2013

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) announced on 14 October 2013 that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had granted approval for its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for tobramycin inhalation solution.

Making generics of Advair could be difficult

Generics/News | Posted 25/10/2013

GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) fears of generics competition for its chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder treatment Advair (fluticasone/salmeterol) may be unfounded according to generics manufacturer Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva).

US court paves way for Nexium competition

Generics/News | Posted 18/10/2013

AstraZeneca announced on 2 October 2013 that the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit had lifted a temporary injunction against the US launch of Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s (Hanmi’s) esomeprazole strontium product.

Forest initiates lawsuits over generic Savella

Generics/News | Posted 18/10/2013

Forest Laboratories and Forest Laboratories Holdings (Forest) announced that Forest and Royalty Pharma Collection Trust (Royalty Pharma) are suing several generics manufacturers regarding generics of Savella (milnacipran).

FDA approves generic version of cancer drug

Generics/News | Posted 11/10/2013

FDA announced on 16 September 2013 that it had approved Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva’s) generic version of Roche’s cancer drug Xeloda (capecitabine).

Generics of fish oil cholesterol treatment get go ahead

Generics/News | Posted 04/10/2013

A US appeals court ruled on 12 September 2013 that generics companies can develop their own versions of Lovaza, a fish oil-derived drug used to treat high cholesterol, which is currently marketed in the US by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

Advair could face competition from generics as early as 2016

Generics/News | Posted 27/09/2013

GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder treatment Advair (fluticasone/salmeterol) could face competition from generics sooner than expected, after FDA issued draft guidance on generics of the drug.

Ranbaxy receives another import ban from FDA

Generics/News | Posted 27/09/2013

Ranbaxy Laboratories (Ranbaxy) has come into FDA’s firing line again. This time generics manufacturer is under scrutiny for problems at its Mohali manufacturing site.

Avanir and Wockhardt settle Nuedexta patent dispute

Generics/News | Posted 20/09/2013

US-based Avanir Pharmaceuticals (Avanir) announced on 6 September 2013 that it had entered into a settlement agreement with Wockhardt USA, the US subsidiary of India-based generics maker Wockhardt, regarding Nuedexta (dextromethorphan hydrobromide/quinidine sulfate).

Actavis confirms Rayos patent challenge and Warner Chilcott acquisition

Generics/News | Posted 13/09/2013

Actavis has filed for US approval for a generic version of the anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent Rayos (prednisone). The company also confirmed its proposed acquisition of Warner Chilcott.

Ranbaxy to expand Russian portfolio

Generics/News | Posted 13/09/2013

Generics manufacturer Ranbaxy Laboratories (Ranbaxy) has been in the Russian pharmaceuticals market for 20 years and is now considering expanding its product offering in the country.

Mylan and Par pass FDA scrutiny on Wellbutrin generics

Generics/News | Posted 06/09/2013

Mylan and Par Pharmaceutical (Par) announced on 20 and 22 August 2013, respectively, that they have passed FDA scrutiny of their generics of antidepressant Wellbutrin XL (bupropion).

Allergan objects to Restasis generics being accepted without human trials

Generics/News | Posted 30/08/2013

Following the publishing of draft guidance on cyclosporine by FDA, ophthalmic specialist Allergan is requesting that FDA revise its guidance on cyclosporines, arguing that generic versions of its eye drug Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) should be tested in humans before approval, not just in a laboratory.