Breather for Novartis as Entresto patent reinstated in India; wins ceritinib patent suit against Natco

In a sudden turn of events, Novartis' (NOVN: VX) Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) patent has been reinstated in India, after a two-judge bench stayed a previous order that invalidated it.

Another long-pending dispute between the Swiss pharma major and Hyderabad-based Natco Pharma (BOM: 524816) has gone in the former's favor, with a single bench of the Delhi High Court issuing an order restraining Natco from infringing Novartis’ patent rights on its cancer drug ceritinib, branded as Zykadia internationally.

In the case of the Entresto patent, the blockbuster heart failure drug was scheduled to go off-patent on January 16 this year, but high drama prevailed in the courtroom a few days prior to the patent loss. The Delhi court set aside a decision granting a patent pertaining to Entresto, leaving the door ajar for generics.