Two AstraZeneca Lawsuits Dismissed

AstraZeneca persuaded a federal judge to dismiss two antitrust lawsuits filed by consumers who accused the drug maker of filing patent infringement claims to block generic competition to Prilosec.

U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff said the plaintiffs failed to prove that AstraZeneca’s suits against 10 generic-drug makers were sham litigation designed to thwart competition to the heartburn drug.

The antitrust lawsuits were filed last year on behalf of consumers and union insurance plans. A federal judge has invalidated four of six patents involved in a New York trial.

Shares of AstraZeneca fell 41 cents to $39.81 in the NYSE.