Novo Nordisk Accused of Pay-for-Delay Scheme Involving Victoza

Novo Nordisk AS was sued in federal court Friday with allegations that it monopolized the blockbuster weight loss medication Victoza through an illegal deal with a competitor to delay the generic, less-expensive version of the drug.

J M Smith Corp. alleges Novo paid off Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. to delay Teva’s generic version of Victoza until June 2024, according to a proposed class action filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Victoza is a branded injection pen used to treat type 2 diabetes and help with weight loss.

“This monopolization scheme substantially impaired generic ...