Company Watch

Sun Pharma launches generic protonix tablets

Our News Bureau - Mumbai

Sun Pharmaceutical announced that it has commercially launched generic pantoprazole sodium delayed release (DR) tablets, 40 mg, which is AB-rated to Wyeth's protonix DR tablets. Its marketing partner Caraco Pharmaceutical is selling Sun's product in the US. Sun Pharma had received a US FDA approval for these tablets in Sep 2007. This strength of pantoprazole sodium has annual sales of approximately $2.3 billion in the US. Sun's launch was initiated after the December 22, 2007 commercial launch by Teva Pharmaceutical of generic pantoprazole sodium tablet products, and after the January 29, 2008 commercial launch by Wyeth of generic pantoprazole sodium tablets product through its designated distributor. Sun shares a 180-day period of marketing exclusivity with Teva for this product. Sun is currently involved in patent litigation with Wyeth and Altana (now Nycomed) concerning this product in the US district court for the district of New Jersey. Although no trial date has yet been set, in September 2007, the district court denied a motion filed by Wyeth and Altana for a preliminary injunction related to Sun's pantoprazole tablets. Wyeth and Altana have appealed the district court's decision.