Johnson & Johnson loses cancer drug patent, Indian firms eye US market

Dr Reddy's, Glenmark, Wockhardt have lined up alternatives for Zytiga

With pharmaceutical major Johnson & Johnson (J&J) losing the patent battle in the US court for its popular prostrate cancer drug Zytiga, opportunities for Indian players, who have already lined up generic versions, have opened up.

The drug is considered among the leading therapies for prostrate cancer. Players such as Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Glenmark, and Wockhardt are among the generic filers, which has an estimated sales of around $1.5 billion in the US market. 

Sun Pharmaceuticals has already launched a speciality drug called Yonsa in the US market around May-June this year. It has the same active ingredients as Zytiga, but the