Gilead Accuses Cipla of Sidestepping Earlier Descovy Patent Deal

Gilead Sciences Inc. filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block Cipla Ltd.’s proposed copy of its HIV drug Descovy that relies on Gilead’s clinical data for FDA approval, alleging it infringes patents for the blockbuster daily pill.

Cipla’s new drug application—which uses a streamlined US Food and Drug Administration process that allows companies to rely on previously submitted clinical data—infringes seven patents covering specific forms of tenofovir alafenamide, one of Descovy’s two active ingredients, and methods for making it, according to Gilead’s complaint filed Tuesday in the US District Court for the District of Delaware.

Gilead alleged Cipla’s version infringes ...