Menlo Park, Calif. - June 21, 2011 - Depomed, Inc. (Nasdaq: DEPO) today announced that it has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.("Sun"), for infringement of the patents listed in the Orange Book for Depomed's 500 mg and 1000 mg Glumetza® (metformin hydrochloride extended release tablets).
The lawsuit is in response to an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) filed by Sun with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding Sun's intent to market generic versions of the 500mg and 1000mg strengths of Glumetza prior to the expiration of the five listed U.S. patents: 6,340,475, 6,488,962, 6,635,280, 6,723,340, and 7,780,987. Depomed is also asserting U.S. patent 7,736,667 in the lawsuit.
Depomed has commenced the lawsuit within the 45 days required to automatically stay, or bar, the FDA from approving Sun's ANDA for 30 months or until a district court decision that is adverse to the patents, whichever may occur earlier.
"Depomed will continue to vigorously enforce its intellectual property rights with respect to our Glumetza products," commented Matthew M. Gosling, Depomed's senior vice president and general counsel.
About Depomed
Depomed, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company with one approved product on the market and another recently approved product. GraliseTM (gabapentin) is a once-daily treatment approved for the management of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Glumetza® (metformin hydrochloride extended release tablets) is approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes and promoted by Santarus, Inc. in the United States. The company also has a robust pipeline including Serada®, which is in Phase 3 clinical development for menopausal hot flashes, as well as earlier stage candidates. Depomed formulates its products and product candidates with its proven, proprietary Acuform® drug delivery technology, which is designed to improve existing oral medications, allowing for controlled release of medications to the upper gastrointestinal tract when dosed with food. Additional information about Depomed may be found on its website, http://www.depomed.com.