Ranbaxy and Pfizer agree deal over Lipitor sales

Source: Healthcare Digital

Date :19/06/2008 04:58:06

The US pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. has agreed a deal with Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, the Indian generics manufacturer, over the patent expiry of its blockbuster cholesterol drug Lipitor.

The agreement could mean a boost of US$5billion in sales of the cholesterol-lowing drug. Last year, worldwide sales of Lipitor (US$12.7billion) comprised one- fourth of the Pfizer’s revenue.

Generic versions

Under the terms of the deal, Ranbaxy will be the first company to sell its generic version of Lipitor and combination drug Caduet in the US from the end of November 2011, slightly later than analysts expected, with exclusive marketing rights for 180 days.

Ranbaxy was on course to launch its generic version of Lipitor in the US in March, 2010, 15 months ahead of its patent expiry in June, 2011. The settlement pushes back the launch date by 20 months.

Ranbaxy will also be able to sell generic versions of the drug in Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Italy and Australia when patents expire in those countries. Pfizer and Ranbaxy have also settled their disputes regarding sales of Lipitor in Malaysia, Brunei, Peru and Vietnam.

However, the deal does not end patent battles between the two companies over Lipitor in Finland, Spain, Portugal, Denmark and Romania, Ranbaxy said in a statement.