Generics

ATLANTA — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for epilepsy made by Acella Pharmaceuticals, the company said Wednesday.

Acella announced the approval of gabapentin oral solution in the 250-mg-per-5-mL strength. The drug is a generic version of Parke Davis' Neurontin.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has released a version of a drug used to treat bacterial infections, the company said.

Mylan announced the launch of doxycycline hyclate delayed-release tablets in the 150-mg strength. The launch follows a decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey that Mylan's product did not infringe patents covering the drug's branded version, Doryx. Warner Chilcott, which markets Doryx, had brought the case.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Mylan will be barred from marketing a generic version of a Merck cardiovascular drug until the drug's patent expires, under a court ruling announced Friday.

Merck said the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey ruled against Mylan in two patent infringement suits related to the drugs Zetia (ezetimibe) and Vytorin (ezetimibe and simvastatin). Specifically, the court ruled that a patent covering the drug, RE 42,461, is valid and enforceable and enjoined Mylan from launching until the patents expiration in April 2017.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan plans to start selling a generic version of a drug for sleep disorders starting in June 2016, under a deal with Teva announced Monday.

Mylan said it had settled with Teva over the former's generic version of Nuvigil (armodafinil) tablets, a drug used to treat sleepiness related to sleep apnea, narcolepsy and shift work disorder.

NEW YORK — Two companies have settled with Teva over the latter's efforts to launch a generic version of an emergency treatment for allergic reactions.

Under the agreement, involving Mylan and Pfizer's Meridian Medical Technologies subsidiary, Teva will be allowed to launch a generic version of EpiPen (epinephrine) auto-injector in June 2015, assuming it wins approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Mylan Specialty markets the EpiPen, which Meridian manufactures.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson has announced its intention to acquire Actavis, the company said.

Following news reports Tuesday that the U.S.-based generic drug maker would acquire Switzerland-based Actavis, Watson announced Wednesday that it would buy the latter for $5.6 billion. News media had reported that the deal would be worth $5.9 billion, while there had been estimates in March that Watson would pay up to $7.3 billion.

MUMBAI, India — Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic version of a drug used to treat psychiatric disorders, the company said.

Sun announced the launch of olanzapine tablets in the 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg and 20 mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Eli Lilly's Zyprexa, used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The branded drug and generic versions had sales of $3.28 billion during the 12-month period ended in January, according to IMS Health.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a generic version of an Eli Lilly drug used to treat psychiatric disorders, the company said Tuesday.

Dr. Reddy's announced the launch of olanzapine tablets in the 2.5-mg, 5-mg, 7.5-mg, 10-mg and 15-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Zyprexa, used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Generic and branded versions of the drug had sales of about $3.28 billion during the 12-month period ended in January, according to IMS Health.