Novartis and Freshfields drive Zentiva and Aliud Pharma from German market

At the beginning of November, the Regional Court Düsseldorf ruled that the generics products of Zentiva and Aliud Pharma infringed the Novartis patent EP 33 51 246 B1. Now, the pharma giant is taking action against competing generic products in Europe.

In their decision, the Düsseldorf judges banned Zentiva and Aliud Pharma from continuing to sell Everolimus Zentiva and Everolimus AL in Germany (case IDs: 4a O 60/19 and 4a O 63/19). Zentiva and Aliud may appeal against the decision, with both generics companies likely to do so. However, whether Novartis will provisionally enforce the two rulings is yet to be decided, although forcing generics out of the market is common practice in lawsuits. The companies have not yet commented on their decision.

Opposing nine

EP 246 B1 protects the active ingredient everolimus in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast tumours. Novartis’ product Afinitor is licensed for this breast cancer indication. According to Novartis, generic drugs Everolimus Zentiva and Everolimus AL are also offered for this indication.

EP 246 B1 will expire in mid-February 2022. An opposition against the patent is pending before the European Patent Office, which involves nine companies. The companies include Aliud’s parent company Stada as well as Zentiva, Biogaran, Ethypharm, Accord Healthcare, Dr. Reddy’s, Generics, Teva and Arrow Generiques. The EPO has not yet set a date for the oral hearing.

Zentiva and Aliud Pharma had speculated about a suspension in the infringement proceedings. Therefore, the generic companies relied on the strong likelihood that the court would revoke the patent in the opposition suit.

But the Düsseldorf judges took a different view. Despite this argument from the generic manufacturers, in 2019 the Regional Court of The Hague issued a preliminary injunction against Teva in the Netherlands.

Pan-European battle

In Germany, Novartis is also taking action against Betapharm and Ethypharm products. However, the Regional Court Düsseldorf will not hear these cases until 2021.

Nina Bayerl

Apparently, a total of three patents are in dispute. Novartis brought an action against various generic manufacturers for EP 33 42 411 B1, which protects another Afinitor indication.

Additionally, Novartis filed a suit in connection with EP 22 69 603 B1, which also protects a breast cancer indication. The Opposition Division of the EPO had revoked the patent for inadmissible extension. In 2019, the UK High Court issued an interim injunction against Dr. Reddy’s on the assumption that the EPO ruling would not stand. The parties have now settled the dispute. Novartis made no further attempt to uphold the patent.

According to JUVE Patent’s information, disputes are still pending in Italy, Portugal and Austria.

Close relationship with Novartis

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has very good relations with Novartis in Germany and in the Netherlands, thanks to partners Frank-Erich Hufnagel and Rutger Kleemans. However, in the UK, the firm did not lead the case. Three years ago, the London patent team lost and gained a number of partners. As a result, it underwent a restructure.

On the other hand, the London office of US firm Kirkland & Ellis has used the proceedings to conduct the UK proceedings for Novartis. Partners Nicola Dagg and Daniel Lim led the Kirkland team, both of whom have a long-standing relationship with Novartis.

Christian Harmsen

Liz McKinley and Cameron Marshall, both partners at mixed UK firm Carpmaels & Ransford, are handling the EPO opposition proceedings for Novartis. The firm has an excellent reputation in Europe for representing pharma originators. Carpmaels also filed the original patent.

German suits, other proceedings

For the German infringement proceedings, Novartis also brought in Ter Meer Steinmeister partner Bernd Aechter. He enjoys a very good name for pharma patents. As well as originators, the firm also frequently advises generic manufacturers such as Hexal.

In other countries with suits against generic manufacturers, Novartis is banking on leading IP boutiques.

In the German suits, Zentiva and Aliud work with two Bird & Bird teams led by partners Christian Harmsen and Oliver Jüngst, who regularly represent the companies. Zentiva is also counting on Bird & Bird patent attorney Michael Alt in the infringement proceedings and EPO oppositions. On the other hand, Aliud relied on go-to advisor Alexander Wittkopp from Hamburg patent firm Hamm & Wittkopp.

Oliver Jüngst

Dr. Reddy’s hired Duncan Curley from Innovate Legal in the now wrapped-up UK case. The representatives in the other countries are not known.

For Novartis
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Düsseldorf): Frank-Erich Hufnagel, Nina Bayerl (both lead), Fabian P Schubach
Ter Meer Steinmeister: Bernd Aechter, Markus Ackermann (both patent attorneys)

For Zentiva Pharma
Bird & Bird (Düsseldorf): Christian Harmsen (lead), Tobias Wilcke; Michael Alt, Jonathan Wurth (both patent attorneys)
In-house (Prague): Kristin Cooklin (head of IP), Cecile Teles (head patent attorney)

For Aliud Pharma
Bird & Bird (Düsseldorf): Oliver Jan Jüngst, Moritz Schroeder
Hamm & Wittkopp (Hamburg): Alexander Wittkopp (patent attorney)

Regional Court Düsseldorf, 4a Civil Chamber
Tim Crummenerl (presiding judge), Carsten Haase, Kathrin Reich