Adenoscan patent suits settled

Astellas Pharma of Tokyo and King Pharmaceuticals of Bristol, Tenn., have settled patent disputes with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries of Jerusalem. The firms have been embroiled in lawsuits regarding Teva’s submission of  an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for a generic version of Adenoscan (adenosine injection), a pharmacologic stress agent used in cardiac imaging.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Teva will be able to launch its generic version of Adenoscan pursuant to a license in September 2012, or earlier under certain conditions.

Other terms of the settlement were not disclosed by the companies.

Adenoscan, licensed and sold by Astellas in the United States, is a pharmacologic stress agent indicated as an adjunct to thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in cardiac patients.

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