Roche, Glenmark settle patent litigation over cancer drug

New Delhi, Jan 1: Swiss pharma major F Hoffmann-La Roche and India's Glenmark Pharmaceuticals have settled out of court a patent litigation over the former's lung cancer drug erlotinib hydrochloride sold under the brand name 'Tarceva'.

Roche, which was granted the patent in India for erlotinib hydrochloride on February 23, 2007, was embroiled in patent disputes with another Indian pharma firm, Cipla over Tarceva.

"Glenmark and Roche/OSI confirm that they have reached an agreement regarding ongoing patent disputes relating to the anti-cancer medicine Erlotinib Hydrochloride," the two companies said in a joint statement.

"As part of the agreement, the companies have ceased all relevant patent litigation on this product and Glenmark has acknowledged the patent rights of Roche," it added.

Tarceva is developed and commercialised by Astellas Pharma US in partnership with Genentech in the United States, Chugai in Japan and Roche in the rest of the world. It is a once-daily, oral non-chemotherapy medicine.

Commenting on the development, Roche Pharma India spokesperson told : "This settlement recognises the value of innovation and the benefit this breakthrough cancer drug provides for patients with advanced lung cancer."

In November last year, Roche had successfully defended its patent in the Delhi High Court against Cipla. The court had ruled that Cipla's generic version of the drug infringed Roche's Tarceva patent.