In the US, homegrown pharma firm Natco Pharma Ltd said Johnson Johnson and Momenta Pharmaceuticals have filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the company's marketing partner Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. Mylan.
In a regulatory filing, Natco states that Johnson and Momenta Pharmaceuticals are liable for infringement of two old patents associated with 20 mg ml and 40 mg ml Glatiramer Acetate injection.
Glatiramer Acetate injection is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults.
This lawsuit was filed in the Pennsylvania Federal Court. Natco and its marketing partner, Mylan, believe that this is a meritless suit for a product that has been in the market for more than five years. Mylan and Natco will strongly defend themselves against this suit, the company said.
The shares of Natco were 0.69 per cent lower on the BSE on Wednesday, at Rs 682.30 apiece.