US court rules in favour of Orchid, rejects restraining order

Drug firm, Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals today said a US court has rejected Wyeth's request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent the Indian company from launching the generic version of the antibiotic injections, Piperacillin and Tazobactam in the US. "The court rejected Wyeth's request and denied the TRO," the company said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). In its memorandum opinion and order, the court found that "Wyeth has failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits" of its claim that the US Food Drug Administration's (FDA) approval to Orchid's generic application violated laws. The company further said it is pleased with this result and will protect abbreviated new drug applications (ANDA) for its Piperacillin and Tazobactam injections and also continue to supply the products to its distribution partner, Apotex Corp. Earlier, Wyeth had filed a motion in the US District Court of Columbia seeking TRO to refrain Ochid from launching the drug in the US market. Wyeth sells Piperacillin and Tazobactam injections under the brand Zosyn and the drug has a total market of more than $1.3 billion.