Glaxo Zantac exclusivity extension runs through Aug. 29, unless Genpharm or Geneva win suits.

Executive Summary

GLAXO EXTENDED ZANTAC EXCLUSIVITY WILL RUN THROUGH AUG. 29 unless Genpharm or Geneva can prevail in separate litigation surrounding the effort to launch a generic version of ranitidine. Genpharm has been awarded exclusivity for generic ranitidine through Aug. 29, but cannot come to market until it prevails in litigation against Glaxo by proving that its form 1 ranitidine does not violate Glaxo's form 2 ranitidine patent, expiring in 2002. Geneva has filed a motion with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals for an injunction that all eligible manufacturers can bring generic ranitidine to market July 26; Geneva and Novopharm could market ranitidine if the court rules in its favor.