Claris Settles Litigation with Fresenius Kabi on 'Diprivan'

Drug-maker Claris Lifesciences on Monday said it has settled 'litigation and licence agreement' with US-based Fresenius Kabi to sell generic version of anesthesia drug, Diprivan, in the US.

In a BSE filing, Claris Lifesciences said "... has reached a settlement and licence agreement, ending all pending litigation with Fresenius Kabi, USA Inc. with reference to the alleged infringement of a patent related to Propofol."

In December 2014, Fresenius Kabi had filed a suit against Claris Lifesciences to block commercialisation of its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for Propofol, used to induce or maintain anesthesia during surgeries.

Propofol is a generic version of Diprivan.

The company further said: "Under the terms of settlement and licence agreement, Claris Lifesciences has been granted approval to sell its generic version of Propofol for injection beginning October 15, 2016, prior to the June 1, 2025 expiry of the patent that formed the basis of the litigation."

Citing IMS health data, Claris said, as on June 14, Propofol injection had an annual market size of around $251 million in the US.