Avion, Balchem Unit Sue Lupin to Block Birth-Control Pill Copies

Albion Laboratories Inc. and Alora Pharmaceuticals LLC’s Avion unit allege that Lupin Ltd.’s proposed generic version of Avion’s Balcoltra infringes a patent for the birth control pill that Albion exclusively licenses to Avion, according to a Delaware federal lawsuit.

Balcoltra, an oral contraceptive used by women to prevent pregnancy, is supplied as levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets, and ferrous bisglycinate tablets, according to a complaint Albion and Avion filed Thursday in the US District Court for the District of Delaware.

The patent, which covers compositions of hypoallergenic metal amino acid chelates and methods of preparing and administering ...