Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced today that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court and has also filed a petition for provisional disposition order, demanding the suspension of manufacturing and distribution of the generic drugs of an osteoporosis agent, active vitamin D3 derivative Edirol Capsule 0.5-microg / 0.75-microg, against Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., the marketing authorization holders of generic versions of the drug, citing such parties' infringement of a use patent owned by Chugai and Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Date of Complaint: May 29, 2020

Reasons for the Action

On February 17, 2020, Sawai and Nichi-Iko received approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for their generic drugs of Edirol Capsule, respectively. Chugai and Taisho currently co-market Edirol Capsule wherein Chugai alleged that the generic drugs of Edirol Capsule infringe both companies' use patent (patent number 5969161) , and filed an injunction with the Tokyo District Court against the manufacture, transfer, import, and offer of any transfer regarding the generic drugs, and disposal of stock.

Defendants

Name: Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Address: 5-2-30, Miyahara, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan

Name: Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Address: 1-6-21 Sogawa, Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, Japan

Prospects

No changes are expected to Chugai's financial prospects at this point.

Contact:

Tomoko Shimizu

Tel: +81-3-3273-0881

Email: pr@chugai-pharm.co.jp

(C) 2020 Electronic News Publishing, source ENP Newswire