[author: Sherri Oslick ]

About Court Report:  Each week we will report briefly on recently filed biotech and pharma cases.

AstraZeneca AB et al v. Mylan Laboratories Ltd. et al.
1:12-cv-00300; filed March 12, 2012 in the District Court of Delaware

• Plaintiffs:  AstraZeneca AB; Aktiebolaget Hassle; Astrazeneca LP; KBI Inc.; KBI-E Inc.
• Defendants:  Mylan Laboratories Ltd.; Mylan Laboratories Inc.; Mylan Inc.; Matrix Laboratories Ltd.; Matrix Laboratories Inc.

Astrazeneca AB et al v. Mylan Laboratories Ltd, et al.
3:12-cv-01378; filed March 6, 2012 in the District Court of New Jersey

• Plaintiffs:  Astrazeneca AB; Aktiebolaget Hassle; Astrazeneca LP; KBI Inc.; KBI-E Inc.
• Defendants:  Mylan Laboratories Ltd.; Mylan Laboratories, Inc.; Mylan, Inc.; Matrix Laboratories Ltd.; Matrix Laboratories, Inc.

The complaints in these cases are substantially identical.  Infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,714,504 ("Compositions," issued February 3, 1988), 5,877,192 ("Method for the Treatment of Gastric Acid-Related Diseases and Production of Medication Using (-)Enantiomer of Omeprazole," issued March 2, 1999), and 6,875,872 ("Compounds," issued April 5, 2005), following a Paragraph IV certification as part of defendants' filing of an ANDA to manufacture a generic version of AstraZeneca's Nexium® (esomeprazole magnesium, used for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease).  View the New Jersey complaint here.

Genzyme Corp. v. Invagen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
1:12-cv-01819; filed March 12, 2012 in the Southern District of New York

Genzyme Corp. v. Invagen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
1:12-cv-01164; filed March 8, 2012 in the Eastern District of New York

The complaints in these cases are substantially identical.  Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,667,775 ("Phosphate-Binding Polymers for Oral Administration," issued on September 16, 1997) following a Paragraph IV certification as part of Invagen's filing of an ANDA to manufacture a generic version of Genzyme's Renagel® (sevelamer hydrochloride, used for the control of serum phosphorus in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis).  View the Eastern District of New York complaint here.

Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. et al v. Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. et al.
2:12-cv-01463; filed March 8, 2012 in the District Court of New Jersey

• Plaintiffs:  Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Avanir Holding Co.; Center for Neurologic Study
• Defendants:  Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Watson Laboratories, Inc.; Watson Pharma, Inc.

Infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,659,282 ("Pharmaceutical Compositions Comprising Dextromethorphan and Quinidine for the Treatment of Neurological Disorder," issued February 9, 2010) and RE38,115 ("Dextromethorphan and an Oxidase Inhibitor for Treating Intractable Conditions," issued May 6, 2003) following a Paragraph IV certification as part of Watson's filing of an ANDA to manufacture a generic version of Avanir's Nuedexta® (dextromethorphan hydrobromide/quinidine sulfate, used to treat pseudobulbar affect).  View the complaint here.

Enzo Life Sciences Inc. v. Hologic Inc.
1:12-cv-00276; filed March 6, 2012 in the District Court of Delaware

Enzo Life Sciences Inc. v. Abbott Laboratories et al.
1:12-cv-00274; filed March 6, 2012 in the District Court of Delaware

• Plaintiff:  Enzo Life Sciences Inc.
• Defendants:  Abbott Laboratories; Abbott Molecular Inc.

Enzo Life Sciences Inc. v. Becton Dickson and Company et al.
1:12-cv-00275; filed March 6, 2012 in the District Court of Delaware

• Plaintiff:  Enzo Life Sciences Inc.
• Defendants:  Becton Dickinson and Co.; Geneohm Sciences Inc.; Becton Dickinson Diagnostics Inc.

The complaints in these cases are substantially identical.  Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,922,180 ("Oligo- Or Polynucleotides Comprising Phosphate-Moiety Labeled Nucleotides," issued January 31, 2006) based on defendants' manufacture and sale of certain nucleic acid probe products.  View the Hologic complaint here.

Precision BioSciences, Inc. v. Cellectis SA et al.
5:12-cv-00112; filed March 6, 2012 in the Eastern District of North Carolina

• Plaintiff:  Precision BioSciences, Inc.
• Defendants:  Cellectis SA; Cellectis bioresearch; Cellectis bioresearch Inc.

Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 8,124,369 ("Methods of Cleaving DNA with Rationally-Designed Meganucleases," issued March 6, 2012) based on Cellectis' manufacture, use, and sale of certain products, including meganucleases targeting the HPRT gene in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells, meganucleases targeting the GS gene in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells, meganucleases targeting the human RAG1 gene, and meganucleases targeting the HIV1 genome.  View the complaint here.