Aurobindo Hit With Patent Infringement Suit Over Movantik

AstraZeneca and Nektar Therapeutics hit Aurobindo with a patent infringement suit in a Delaware federal court over Aurobindo’s generic version of their constipation drug Movantik (naloxegol).

The drugmakers allege that Aurobindo’s planned version of Movantik — used to treat opioid-induced constipation in adults with non-cancer chronic pain — infringes on a 2015 patent the companies jointly hold over the drug and how to produce it. 

The suit in the U.S. District Court for Delaware alleges that the generic drugmaker notified AstraZeneca and Nektar on Sept. 26 of its ANDA for generic naloxegol oxalate despite the existence of the patent.

The drugmakers asked the court to rule that Aurobindo’s generic infringes on the patent, as well as an order that any FDA approval should come after the patent’s anticipated expiration in 2032.  The companies also asked the court to prohibit Aurobindo from manufacturing the generic until the patent expires.