Watson launches generic Seasonique

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic version of a contraceptive made by Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Watson said Thursday.

Watson announced the launch of Amethia (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol [0.15 mg/0.03 mg] and ethinyl estradiol [0.01 mg]) after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied Duramed’s request for a temporary injunction; a patent infringement lawsuit that Duramed filed against Watson remains pending.

The drug is a generic version of Duramed’s Seasonique, which had sales of about $110 million during the 12-month period ended in April, according to IMS Health.