Sanofi facing generic Taxotere competition in USA; first biosimilar cleared in Australia

30 September 2010

Two US patents covering Sanofi-Aventis' cancer drug Taxotere (docetaxel) were invalidated by a US court on Monday, raising the odds that generic drugmaker Hospira could launch a generic version in 2010.

The judge in the Delaware District Court ruled that the Taxotere patents were invalid because they were obtained improperly and the underlying invention not patentable on the grounds of obviousness.

Analysts at J P Morgan said they expect Sanofi-Aventis to seek and obtain an injunction against any launch of generic docetaxel by Hospira, but despite that a generic could be launched before the end of the year.

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Chairman, Sanofi Aventis UK