Irvine drug maker Allergan Inc. is suing a unit of Switzerland’s Novartis AG over patent infringement of a urology drug, according to a Bloomberg report.
Allergan’s suit alleges that the Novartis unit infringed four patents for Sanctura XR, its drug for treating overactive bladder, the article said.
Interestingly, the case pits the former and current employers of Allergan Chief Executive David Pyott. Pyott came to Allergan in 1998, after running Novartis’ nutrition division. Pyott had been with Sandoz Ltd., one of Novartis’ predecessor companies, since 1980.
Allergan got Sanctura XR in its $370 million buy of Esprit Pharma Inc., a New Jersey drug maker, in 2007. Sanctura treats overactive bladder with symptoms of frequent urination, urge urinary incontinence and urgency.
