Actos diabetes drug to go generic in 2 years

The top-selling brand-name diabetes drug, Actos, will be available in generic form in two years under a settlement reached by Deerfield-based Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America Inc. and several makers of generic drugs trying to bring a cheaper version to U.S. consumers. 

Takeda, a subsidiary of Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., said it is “operating under the assumption that the entry of generic versions of Actos” will be by Aug. 17, 2012. Another branded version of Actos will be available in generic form before the end of the year.
Takeda made the announcement ahead of its May 12 fiscal 2009 earnings and 2010 outlook announcement.

Actos is the nation’s top-selling brand name diabetes drug and was the 8th-best selling brand in 2009, generating $3.4 billion in U.S. sales, according to the most recent information available from market research firm IMS Health.
Analysts say most patients will be able to take advantage of a cheaper version of Actos by the end of 2012, Takeda continues to battle in U.S. federal courts to keep the brand selling for certain indications.
“The ACTOS compound patent expires in January 2011,” said Takeda spokeswoman Elissa Johnson. “Takeda is currently enforcing its patent rights on several patents expiring in 2016 that claim methods of using or combining ACTOS with other diabetes medications.”

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By Bruce Japsen