Pfizer Loses Bid Against Drug’s Generic Versions

Generic-drug makers including Ivax Corp. and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. aren’t infringing patents on Pfizer Inc.’s epilepsy drug Neurontin by selling low-cost versions, a federal judge ruled.

U.S. District Judge John Lifland in Newark, N.J., said the generic version of gabapentin, the key ingredient in Neurontin, didn’t infringe. Pfizer will appeal, spokesman Paul Fitzhenry said.

Teva, Ivax and Alpharma Inc., which began selling their versions last year, are trying to invalidate the patents. Pfizer had threatened to force the companies to reimburse any lost profit.

Neurontin sales plunged to $161 million in the first half of this year from $782 million a year earlier.