Generics

NEW YORK — Generic drug maker Sandoz is suing Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk over a generic version of a drug used to treat diabetes, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that Sandoz, the generics arm of Swiss drug maker Novartis, was suing Novo Nordisk in a Detroit federal court, hoping the court would find that the Sandoz generic version of Novo Nordisk's Prandin (repaglinide) did not infringe on the latter company's patent covering the drug.

MUMBAI, India — Generic drug maker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has received regulatory approval for a drug designed to treat an enlarged prostate.

According to the Food and Drug Administration's website, Sun Pharma's finasteride tablets in the 5-mg strength were approved on Aug. 16.

Finasteride is the generic equivalent of Proscar and Propecia, which are made by Merck.

DANBURY, Conn. — With the global biosimilars market expected to expand nearly sixfold by the middle of the decade, market research firm IMS Health is launching a market-measurement tool for drug makers interested in getting into the space, the company said.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Hospira has appointed Abbott executive William Dempsey to its board.

Dempsey, who spent more than two decades at Abbott, most recently as EVP global pharmaceuticals for the drug maker.

The addition of Dempsey expands Hospira's board to 11 directors, nine of whom are independent.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan announced Wednesday that it filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a generic version of a drug for migraine headaches made by Endo Pharmaceuticals.

Mylan said it was the first to file for approval of a generic version of Frova (frovatriptan succinate EQ) tablets in the 2.5-mg strength. In response, Endo has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Mylan in response to the filing.

Frova had sales of $68.2 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Generic drug maker Perrigo reported sales of $2.76 billion and profits of $341 million in fiscal year 2011, according to an earnings report released Tuesday.

The company's sales represent a 21% increase over fiscal year 2010, while its profits represent a 52% increase. Much of the increase in sales came from the acquisition of PBM Holdings and Orion Labs, as well as $192 million in new product sales.

BOULDER, Colo. — Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy on Tuesday announced that it is now offering immunizations for influenza, pneumonia and whooping cough on a walk-in basis. The majority of Pharmaca’s pharmacists are trained to provide the shots to any customer who requests one during open pharmacy hours.

In addition, Pharmaca will hold Flu Shot Clinics every Tuesday in September, October and November, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

NEW YORK — Pfizer announced that the patent for its popular erectile dysfunction treatment was upheld in court.

The drug maker said that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia concluded that Pfizer's patent for Viagra was valid and enforceable and prevents generic drug maker Teva from marketing its version of the drug until October 2019. Pfizer noted that litigation on the same patent remains pending against other generic companies, but no trials are scheduled in those other cases.

The court's decision, however, is subject to appeal by Teva.