



Natco Pharma challenges patent on TamifluPosted Atmoneycontrol.comNatco Pharma has challenged a patent on Tamiflu (Oseltamivir Phosphate)—a drug used in the treatment of bird and swine-flu infections, reports the PTI. Tamiflu, a USD 500 million market in the US and over USD 1 billion in global sales is invented by Gilead. Natco, in its filing to US FDA, alleged that Gilead's patent on the drug is invalid and sent a notice to Gilead to that extent. And, now the California-based Bio-pharmaceutical research firm has 45 days to challenge the patent seeking a 30-month ban on the new drug. Natco’s finance director and CFO Bhaskar Narayana, in an interview with CNBC-TV18 confirmed that they have filed an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) that has been accepted by the US FDA. “This essentially means that after the expiry of the patent, the company would be entitled for 180 days exclusive marketing opportunity after the expiry of the patent in 2016,” he said. Feb 17, 2011
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