A federal judge in Indianapolis blocked today’s planned launch of a generic version of Evista, an osteoporosis and breast cancer drug made by Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co.
Sarah Evans Barker granted Lilly a preliminary injunction against Israel-based Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. In March, Teva said it would wait until April 23 to launch its generic copy of Evista so Barker would have enough time to rule on Lilly’s request for a preliminary injunction.
Barker has yet to issue her final ruling based on a trial she conducted from March 9 to March 24. However, she said Lilly had at least demonstrated a likelihood that it will successfully show that its patents on Evista are enforceable.
Evista produced more than $1 billion in sales last year for Lilly. The company claims it has patents on the drug, also known as raloxifene HCl, that run until 2012, 2014 and 2017.
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