Knobbe Martens announced this week that its client, India-based generic pharmaceutical company Ranbaxy Laboratories, has settled its patent infringement lawsuit against AstraZeneca, producer of the blockbuster ulcer drug, Nexium. The parties settled their dispute, with AstraZeneca agreeing to allow Ranbaxy to produce the generic version of Nexium as early as May 2014. In addition, Ranbaxy will have 180 days to exclusively distribute generic esomeprazole (Nexium).
Bill Zimmerman, managing partner of the firm’s D.C. office, served as the lead litigation counsel for Ranbaxy to obtain a favorable outcome for the firm’s client. The team representing Ranbaxy included Darrell Olson, Payson LeMeilleur, and Benjamin Katzenellenbogen from the firm’s Orange County Office; Joseph Reisman, Ph.D. from the firm’s San Diego office and Carol Pitzel Cruz from the firm’s Seattle Office. “This settlement is another big step for generics and for Ranbaxy,” commented Zimmerman. “Vital drugs are getting to the masses faster and cheaper now that the generic manufacturers like Ranbaxy are pushing the issue.”
Jay R. Deshmukh, Senior Vice President Intellectual Property Worldwide for Ranbaxy, stated: “We are very pleased with the outcome, and with Knobbe Martens’ assistance in this matter. Ranbaxy looks forward to working with Knobbe Martens in future litigation as we have obtained all of our goals in this case.”
Knobbe Martens recently opened offices in Seattle, Washington and Washington D.C., bringing their total number of offices to seven nationwide. The firm represents clients in all areas of intellectual property law, including transactional and litigation practices. Clients include public and private companies at various stages of growth, from start-up to the Fortune 500 worldwide. In 2007, the firm was ranked #1 for growth in patent litigation and in the top 10 for number of patent litigation cases in a nationwide survey conducted by IP Law 360. In addition, several members of the firm have been voted among the world’s leading intellectual property lawyers.
