United States newsroom

PRNewswire DEERFIELD, Ill. Astellas US LLC and Astellas Pharma US, Inc. ("Astellas") along with ITEM Development AB ("Item") announced today that they have filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the United States against Sicor Inc., Sicor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (collectively, "Sicor") regarding submission of an abbreviated new drug application ("ANDA") for a generic version of Adenoscan^® (adenosine injection), a pharmacologic stress agent indicated as an adjunct to thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in patients unable to exercise adequately. Astellas is the exclusive licensee of certain rights under Item's US patent No. 5,731,296 ("'296 Patent") and has marketed Adenoscan^® in the US since 1995. The patent infringement action was filed in the US District Court in Delaware on May 26, 2005, requesting, among other things, an order prohibiting approval of Sicor's ANDA prior to the expiration date of the '296 Patent.