Boehringer Sues Alvogen to Block Copies of Spiriva HandiHaler

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH alleges in a new lawsuit that a copy of its Spiriva HandiHaler proposed by Alvogen Inc. infringes a patent for the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment, a top seller for Boehringer whose first generic version was approved last month.

Boehringer seeks an order blocking the Alvogen Group Inc. unit’s proposed generic version until US Patent No. 9,010,323 expires in April 2030, according to a complaint filed July 21 in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey.

It’s the latest expiration of the three patents listed for Spiriva HandiHaler in the US Food and ...