AstraZeneca has sued a handful of drug companies to protect its cancer treatment drug, Lynparza. The suits, which were filed by attorneys with Gibbons and Williams & Connolly, seek to protect the drug from four pharmaceutical competitors: Cipla Limited, Sandoz Inc., Natco Pharma Limited, and Zydus Pharmaceuticals.

Takeaway: These suits are the latest in a steady stream of cases filed by pharmaceutical companies alleging patent infringement and intellectual property claims.

Court: U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Case Type: Patent infringement.

Industry: Pharmaceuticals.

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Lawyers: Charles H. Chevalier of Gibbons and David I. Berl, Elise M. Baumgarten, Kevin Hoagland-Hanson, Max Accardi, Nicholas Vincent and Falicia Elenberg of Williams & Connolly. Counsel has not yet appeared for the defendants.

Liability Arguments: AstraZeneca alleged that the four defendants, Cipla, Sandoz, Natco and Zydus, each sent them a notice letter stating their intent to file an abbreviated new drug application with the Food and Drug Administration in 2024. The defendants are looking to manufacture a generic version of AstraZeneca's cancer medication.

The drug at the center of the suits, Lynparza, is an oral medication used to treat ovarian, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. AstraZeneca alleged in its two-count complaint infringement of a patent the company holds on Lynparza. The pharmaceutical company already has cases pending in New Jersey district court against all four defendants over five other patents related to Lynparza.

Damages Arguments: AstraZeneca alleged that the four competitors are seeking to infringe on a sixth patent that has not expired. The company asked the court to stop the defendants from moving forward with their FDA applications. AstraZeneca said they would face irreparable harm unless the generic applications are denied.

The suits sought preliminary and permanent injunctions against the defendants to prevent them from infringing on the patent for Lynparza and an order prohibiting the defendant's generic applications from being dated earlier than the patent expiration date. AstraZeneca also asked for attorney costs and fees, among other requests.

What the lawyers are saying: The attorneys from Gibbons and Williams & Connolly, who serve as counsel to AstraZeneca, did not immediately return requests for comment. Counsel has not yet entered an appearance for the defendants. Requests for comment sent to the defendants were not immediately returned.

Radar scan: At least four patent cases were launched by Gibbon and Williams & Connolly on behalf of AstraZeneca, all seeking to enjoin competitors from selling generic versions of the plaintiff's cancer treatment Lynparza.

Caption: AstraZeneca v. Cipla Limited; AstraZeneca v. Sandoz; AstraZeneca v. Natco Pharma Limited; and AstraZeneca v. Zydus Pharmaceuticals.

Date filed: Jan. 9, 2024.

Judge: U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch of the District of New Jersey.

Read the complaint against Cipla, Sandoz, Natco, and Zydus here.

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