US court clears way for Natco's Copaxone launch

The US Supreme Court has rejected Teva's application for an injunction seeking to prevent launch of a generic version of Copaxone by Natco Pharma. Natco has announced that Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts has denied Teva's application for an injunction seeking to prevent launch of a generic version of Copaxone pending the Supreme Court's decision on Teva's appeal. This is the second time that the Chief Justice has denied Teva's request for such an injunction.
 
This verdict clears legal hurdle for Mylan and Natco to launch the generic version of Copaxone in the market.
 
Natco and Teva have been at loggerhead with each other in a patent fight over the top-selling multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone, which had registered revenue of $4.2 billion in the US during 2013. Teva’s Copaxone patents expiring in September 2015 were held invalid by a US court in July 2013, making generic entry possible in May this year when the remaining patents expire.