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Last Updated: April 2, 2025

Litigation Details for Mayne Pharma International Pty Ltd. v. Actavis Elizabeth LLC (D. Del. 2017)


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Mayne Pharma International Pty Ltd. v. Actavis Elizabeth LLC (D. Del. 2017)

Docket ⤷  Try for Free Date Filed 2017-11-09
Court District Court, D. Delaware Date Terminated 2019-01-23
Cause 35:271 Patent Infringement Assigned To Mitchell S. Goldberg
Jury Demand None Referred To Richard A. Lloret
Parties TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA, INC.
Patents 6,958,161; 9,295,652; 9,446,057; 9,511,031
Attorneys Megan Elizabeth Dellinger
Firms Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell
Link to Docket External link to docket
Small Molecule Drugs cited in Mayne Pharma International Pty Ltd. v. Actavis Elizabeth LLC
The small molecule drugs covered by the patents cited in this case are ⤷  Try for Free and ⤷  Try for Free .

Details for Mayne Pharma International Pty Ltd. v. Actavis Elizabeth LLC (D. Del. 2017)

Date FiledDocument No.DescriptionSnippetLink To Document
2017-11-09 External link to document
2017-11-08 1 expiration of United States Patent No. 6,958,161 (“the ’161 Patent”); United States Patent No. 9,295,652 (“the…’652 Patent”); United States Patent No. 9,446,057 (“the ’057 Patent”); and United States Patent No. 9,511,031…infringement of the ’161 Patent, the ’652 Patent, the ’057 Patent, and the ’031 Patent. 12. This…Mayne owns the ’161 Patent, the ’652 Patent, the ’057 Patent, and the ’031 Patent. … 23. The ’161 Patent, the ’652 Patent, the ’057 Patent, and the ’031 Patent are listed in the Approved External link to document
2017-11-08 3 or about 10/2/2017. Date of Expiration of Patent: 6,958,161 - 12/12/2022; 9,295,652 - 10/23/2034; 9,446,057… Supplemental information for patent cases involving an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) …2017 23 January 2019 1:17-cv-01614 835 Patent - Abbreviated New Drug Application(ANDA) None External link to document
2017-11-08 4 the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks for Patent/Trademark Number(s) 6,958,161 B2; 9,295,652 B1; 9,446,057…2017 23 January 2019 1:17-cv-01614 835 Patent - Abbreviated New Drug Application(ANDA) None External link to document
2017-11-08 98 the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks for Patent/Trademark Number(s) 6,958,161 B2; 9,295,652 B1; 9,446,057…2017 23 January 2019 1:17-cv-01614 835 Patent - Abbreviated New Drug Application(ANDA) None External link to document
>Date Filed>Document No.>Description>Snippet>Link To Document
Showing 1 to 5 of 5 entries

Litigation Summary and Analysis for Mayne Pharma International Pty Ltd. v. Actavis Elizabeth LLC

Introduction

The case of Mayne Pharma International Pty Ltd. v. Actavis Elizabeth LLC, while not directly detailed in the provided sources, can be analyzed through the context of similar pharmaceutical litigation cases. This summary will draw parallels from related cases to provide an insightful analysis.

Background of Pharmaceutical Litigation

Pharmaceutical litigation often involves complex issues such as patent infringement, anticompetitive practices, and the entry of generic drugs into the market. Here are some key points from similar cases:

  • Patent Infringement and Anticompetitive Practices: In cases like the FTC's action against AbbVie and Besins, it was found that the defendants used sham litigation to delay the entry of generic drugs, thereby maintaining monopoly power and causing harm to consumers[1].
  • Generic Drug Entry: The entry of generic drugs is crucial for reducing drug prices and increasing competition. However, branded drug manufacturers often use various tactics to delay this entry, such as reverse payments and baseless lawsuits[1].

Case Context: Mayne Pharma International Pty Ltd. v. Actavis Elizabeth LLC

Given the lack of direct information on this specific case, we can infer the likely issues based on common themes in pharmaceutical litigation.

Patent Infringement Claims

  • The case likely involves claims of patent infringement by Mayne Pharma against Actavis Elizabeth LLC. This is a common scenario where the patent holder (Mayne Pharma) alleges that the generic drug manufacturer (Actavis Elizabeth LLC) has infringed on their patent rights.
  • Anticipation and Obviousness Defenses: Defendants in such cases often argue that the patent is invalid due to anticipation or obviousness. For example, in the case involving Sanofi-Aventis and Mayne Pharma, the defendant argued that the patent was invalid due to anticipation, which required substantial discovery and fact-intensive considerations[4].

Procedural Background

  • The litigation would have involved various procedural steps such as the filing of complaints, motions for summary judgment, and discovery processes.
  • Summary Judgment Motions: Defendants may seek summary judgment to resolve the case quickly, arguing that there is no genuine issue of material fact. For instance, in the Sanofi-Aventis case, Mayne Pharma sought leave to file a summary judgment motion based on anticipation, which was granted by the court[4].

Anticompetitive Practices

  • The case might also involve allegations of anticompetitive practices, such as the use of sham litigation or reverse payments to delay the entry of generic drugs. This is a critical issue as seen in the FTC's actions against pharmaceutical companies[1].

Key Issues and Arguments

Patent Validity

  • The validity of the patent in question would be a central issue. Mayne Pharma would need to prove that their patent is valid and that Actavis Elizabeth LLC has infringed upon it.
  • Defendant's Arguments: Actavis Elizabeth LLC might argue that the patent is invalid due to anticipation or obviousness, requiring the court to consider whether the invention was already known or obvious to a person of skill in the art[4].

Anticompetitive Allegations

  • If allegations of anticompetitive practices are made, the court would need to determine whether Mayne Pharma used such tactics to maintain monopoly power and delay generic competition.
  • FTC Precedents: The FTC's findings in similar cases, such as the AbbVie and Besins case, would be relevant in assessing whether the actions of Mayne Pharma were anticompetitive[1].

Potential Outcomes

Summary Judgment

  • If the court grants a summary judgment motion, it could significantly narrow the issues and parties involved in the case, potentially ending the litigation early[4].

Trial and Equitable Relief

  • If the case proceeds to trial, the court would need to determine the validity of the patent and whether any anticompetitive practices were employed. Equitable relief, such as monetary damages or injunctive relief, could be awarded if the court finds in favor of Mayne Pharma[1].

Impact on the Pharmaceutical Industry

Generic Drug Entry

  • The outcome of this case could impact the timing and feasibility of generic drug entry into the market, affecting competition and consumer prices.

Anticompetitive Practices

  • The case could set precedents for how anticompetitive practices are handled in the pharmaceutical industry, influencing future litigation and regulatory actions.

Key Takeaways

  • Patent Validity: The validity of the patent is a crucial issue in pharmaceutical litigation.
  • Anticompetitive Practices: Allegations of anticompetitive practices, such as sham litigation or reverse payments, are significant and can lead to substantial penalties.
  • Regulatory Impact: The outcome of such cases can influence regulatory actions and future litigation in the pharmaceutical industry.

FAQs

What is the typical basis for patent infringement claims in pharmaceutical litigation?

  • Patent infringement claims in pharmaceutical litigation typically involve allegations that a generic drug manufacturer has made, used, or sold a drug that infringes on the patent rights of the branded drug manufacturer.

How do reverse payments affect the entry of generic drugs?

  • Reverse payments can delay the entry of generic drugs by providing financial incentives to generic manufacturers to forgo entry into the market, thereby maintaining the monopoly power of the branded drug manufacturer.

What is the role of the FTC in pharmaceutical litigation?

  • The FTC plays a crucial role in enforcing antitrust laws, including investigating and prosecuting cases involving anticompetitive practices such as sham litigation and reverse payments in the pharmaceutical industry.

What are the potential outcomes of a summary judgment motion in pharmaceutical litigation?

  • A summary judgment motion can result in the early resolution of the case, narrowing the issues and parties involved, or it can be denied, allowing the case to proceed to trial.

How do anticompetitive practices in pharmaceutical litigation affect consumers?

  • Anticompetitive practices, such as delaying the entry of generic drugs, can result in higher drug prices and reduced competition, ultimately harming consumers.

Cited Sources

  1. FTC Actions in Pharmaceutical Products and Distribution - FTC, September 30, 2020.
  2. Granillo v. Weatherford U.S., L.P. - Casetext.
  3. Town of Andover v. Teva et al. - United States District Court, District of Massachusetts.
  4. Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC et al. v. Mayne Pharma Limited et al. - United States District Court, District of New Jersey.

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