Teva Launches Generic of AstraZeneca’s Pulmicort Respules
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Teva has launched a generic of AstraZeneca’s inhaled asthma treatment for kids.
Generics maker Teva is causing headaches for another brand-name drugmaker.
AstraZeneca taking the hit on its asthma treatment Pulmicort Respules. Teva just got FDA approval of a generic version, and the Israeli company said it has started selling the medicine. AstraZeneca’s shares opened down about 4% on the New York Stock Exchange.
AstraZeneca has already launched a patent-infringement suit against Teva over the drug. A trial is scheduled for Jan. 12, according to Teva. If Teva loses the case, there’s the possibility it would have to pay AstraZeneca triple damages. But Teva has been willing to take that risk lately. Last Christmas Eve, Wyeth was caught off guard when Teva launched a generic version of Wyeth’s big-selling heartburn drug Protonix.
AstraZeneca’s most recent annual report put global sales of Pulmicort at $1.29 billion. The company said the “primary driver” of growth were sales of Pulmicort Respules in the U.S. The annual report calls Respules the only inhaled steroid for asthma approved for children as young as 12 months.
Teva cited IMS Health data showing total annual sales of the branded strengths that it’s now marketing were $996 million in the United […]
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