The patent infringement suit surrounding Sanofi-Aventis’s Plavix, the world’s third largest selling medication, was previously scheduled for May 13, 2005. Canadian company Apotex and India’s Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, have been challenging the patent since 2002 in the hope of selling cheaper versions of Plavix in the US.
Following what is now the fourth delay of the pre-trial order, analysts have forecast a year long trial.
Although the litigation has the potential to open up the US market, it should be noted that Sanofi successfully defended Plavix’s Canadian patent against an attack by Apotex earlier this year.