SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ: UTHR) announced today that the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey has ruled in its favor in the company's case against Sandoz, Inc. regarding United Therapeutics' Remodulin® product. In his opinion, Judge Peter Sheridan ruled that U.S. Patent No. 6,765,117 is both valid and enforceable against Sandoz, Inc., and enjoined Sandoz from marketing its generic product until the expiration of that patent in October 2017. Judge Sheridan also ruled that U.S. Patent No. 7,999,007 expiring in 2029 is valid, but would not be infringed by Sandoz' generic product. Sandoz filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application in December 2011 seeking to market a generic version of Remodulin, and challenged patents covering Remodulin as part of that application. United Therapeutics filed the lawsuit that is the subject of this ruling shortly thereafter.
"We are pleased with the Court's ruling today confirming the validity and enforceability of the '117 patent," said United Therapeutics' CEO, Martine Rothblatt. "We have always emphasized our investment in scientific advances and the resulting intellectual property that allows us to bring our products to patients, and this decision is a validation of that emphasis."
United Therapeutics is analyzing the Court's opinion and assessing its next steps with respect to the '007 patent, which may include an appeal of the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
About United Therapeutics
United Therapeutics Corporation is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of unique products to address the unmet medical needs of patients with chronic and life-threatening conditions.
Forward-looking Statements
Statements included in this press release that are not historical in nature are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding United Therapeutics' patents, including next steps with respect to the '007 patent. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and are qualified by the cautionary statements, cautionary language and risk factors set forth in our periodic reports and documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, which could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. We are providing this information as of August 29, 2014, and assume no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason. [uthr-g]
Remodulin is a registered trademark of United Therapeutics Corporation.
SOURCE United Therapeutics Corporation
