Russia Launches Antitrust Cases Over Generic Versions of Pfizer's Eliquis
核心洞察
Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service (搜索) is examining whether Teva and Grotex (搜索) launched apixaban products while Pfizer's Russian patent remained in force.
The proceedings cover Teva's Apixanta (搜索) and Grotex (搜索)'s Apiklis (搜索), which complainants say entered commercial circulation before the original patent expired.
The patent at issue expires in February 2027, and FAS will assess conduct under Article 14.5 of Russia's competition law on intellectual property.
Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service (搜索) (FAS) has opened antitrust cases against Teva and Grotex (搜索) over generic versions of apixaban, the active ingredient in Eliquis. FAS is examining whether the companies engaged in unfair competition by introducing apixaban products while the relevant patent held by Pfizer's Russian operation remained in force, according to reporting by The Pharma Letter.
The proceedings involve Teva's Apixanta (搜索) and Grotex (搜索)'s Apiklis (搜索), which complainants allege were introduced into commercial circulation before the patent covering the original medicine had expired. That patent is due to expire in February 2027. FAS will assess the companies' conduct under Article 14.5 of Russia's competition law, which addresses unfair competition involving intellectual-property rights. The opening of proceedings does not constitute a finding that either company committed a violation.
The antitrust action adds another front to a broader legal fight over apixaban in Russia. Teva previously filed a lawsuit involving Pfizer Innovation (搜索), Pfizer's Russian entity, and has said its court action is intended to protect its legitimate economic interests and its ability to place apixaban into commercial circulation in Russia. Eliquis, an anticoagulant associated globally with Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb (搜索), is approaching major patent expirations internationally, with generic competition expected to substantially reduce sales.
Source: PYMNTS.com