IPR proceedings move Mylan closer with 'cheaper alternative' to Lantus

The US Patent and Trademark Appeal Board (PTAB) has instituted inter partes review (IPR) proceedings on all claims against two patents owned by French pharma major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN) for the diabetes treatment Lantus (insulin glargine injection) 100 Units/mL, according to Mylan (Nasdaq: MYL).

Shares in Mylan closed 1.2% up on Thursday, at $40.01. The Netherlands-incorporated drugmaker filed a New Drug Application (NDA) with the US Food and Drug Administration for insulin glargine pre-filled pen and vial drug products in September, including in its NDA a paragraph IV certification challenging all of the Sanofi patents then listed in the FDA Orange Book for Sanofi's Lantus and LantusSoloStar products.

Lantus is Sanofi’s flagship diabetes drug but sales this year have been declining due to increased competition. In 2017’s third quarter, they were 15.5% down on the same period of 2016, at 1.12 billion euros ($1.32 billion).