Galen resolves patent challenge with Barr

Craigavon-based pharmaceutical firm Galen has settled its patent litigation with Barr Pharmaceuticals.

The deal allows Barr to launch generic versions of Galen's Estrostep oral contraceptive and femhrt hormone therapy products under a non-exclusive license six months prior to patent expiry.

In a separate agreement, Galen has granted Barr an exclusive royalty-bearing license to develop certain oral contraceptives under a patent owned by the Northern Ireland firm.

Under the terms of the agreement, Galen granted Barr a non-exclusive license to launch a generic version of Estrostep in October 2007, six months prior to the expiration of the patent on Estrostep.

The company also granted Barr a non-exclusive license to launch a generic version of femhrt in November 2009, six months prior to the expiration of the patent on femhrt.

Galen's Chief Executive Officer Roger Boissonneault said today: "We welcome the completion of these agreements and the resolution of this litigation between our two companies."