Orchid Chemicals and Schering-Plough settle Clarinex and Clarinex RediTabs patent lawsuits

Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals has announced settlement of the patent litigation between company and Schering-Plough relating to Desloratadine Tablets, 5mg and Desloratadine 2.5 mg and 5 mg Orally Disintegrating tablets (ODT), the generic versions of Schering-Plough’s Clarinex and Clarinex RediTabs allergy medication.

The litigation was pending in the US District Court of New Jersey since September 2006.

Pursuant to the settlement, Orchid will have the right to market Desloratadine Tablets, 5 mg and Desloratadine 2.5 mg and 5 mg ODT on July 1, 2012 and January 1, 2012 respectively or earlier in certain circumstances, provided that the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approves Orchid’s abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) of the above mentioned products.

Orchid’s products may be the prescription form or over the counter version products depending on the status of Clarinex and Clarinex RediTabs at the time.

Additional terms of the settlement are confidential and the agreement is subject to review by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission.

Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals is leading pharmaceutical company headquartered in Chennai, India involved in the development, manufacturing and marketing of diverse bulk actives, formulations and nutraceuticals.