Ranbaxy and GSK Settle Valacyclovir Patent Suit

Ranbaxy Laboratories announced that it reached an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to stipulate a dismissal of their U.S. litigation over Valtrex.

The Valtrex (valacyclovir hydrochloride) lawsuit was related to GSK’s U.S. Patent No. 4,957,924 that covers valacyclovir hydrochloride and its use in the treatment of herpes virus infection, Ranbaxy said.

Under the agreement, Ranbaxy said it will enter the U.S. market in late 2009 as the first generic version of the drug, enjoying a 180-day exclusivity.

Ranbaxy has also obtained a license to GSK’s U.S. Patent Nos. 5,879,706 and 6,107,302, listed in the Orange Book for valacyclovir, the company added.