Judge Denies Injunction on Zocor Generics

A U.S. district judge declined to issue a preliminary injunction blocking two companies from exclusively selling their generic versions of Merck & Co.’s Zocor cholesterol drug.

Novartis’ Sandoz unit had sought a temporary restraining order against generic manufacturers Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.’s Ivax and Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth rejected that request last month but said he also would consider it as a motion for a preliminary injunction, which he denied Wednesday.