Allergan Suit Alleges Patent Infringement

Irvine eye-care company Allergan Inc. has filed a federal lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company, alleging the company has infringed on Allergan’s rights under a license to use another firm’s patent.

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. said in a press release Thursday that it will “vigorously” defend itself and its subsidiary, Santen Inc., against Allergan’s claims.

The suit charges that plans by Santen to market ophthalmic preparations containing levofloxacin will infringe on Allergan’s rights pursuant to its license under the ofloxacin patent.

Allergan, which named Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co. as an involuntary plaintiff in the complaint, wasn’t immediately available to comment.

Allergan is a licensee of Daiichi Pharmaceutical and Santen Pharmaceutical for certain ophthalmic preparations containing the patented compound ofloxacin in the U.S.