AstraZeneca Accused of Scheme to Delay Generic Seroquel (1)

AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP was hit with an antitrust lawsuit accusing it of paying two rivals not to roll out generic versions of its antipsychotic Seroquel.

The suit challenges patent infringement settlements AstraZeneca reached with Handa Pharmaceuticals LLC and Accord Pharmaceuticals Inc. after they sought regulatory approval for generic Seroquel, which is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

In exchange for agreements by Handa and Accord to delay their generics until the expiration of key Seroquel patents, AstraZeneca licensed them to sell the drug and agreed not to compete in the eventual generic market for six months, according to the ...