Novartis, Ranbaxy argue over Diovan patent

Meanwhile, Novartis is suing the Indian generics giant Ranbaxy Laboratories over a copycat version of Diovan. Novartis says the blood pressure med--its top seller--is protected by a patent that doesn't expire until 2012. Ranbaxy, however, claims that the patent is invalid.

The generics firm had applied for FDA approval for its version of Diovan, originally stating that it would wait for the patent to expire to sell the drug. But Ranbaxy amended its application in late June to say that it intends to market its version of Diovan. 

- see the complaint

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