J&J Sues Alkem, Hikma, Novartis to Block Spravato Spray Copies

Johnson & Johnson alleges in three new lawsuits that generic versions of Spravato proposed by Novartis AG, Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc, and Alkem Laboratories Ltd. infringe four patents for the nasal spray, used for treatment-resistant depression.

Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, subsidiaries of J&J, filed the complaints Tuesday in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey.

The lawsuits appear to be the first alleging infringement of patents related to Spravato, according to Bloomberg Law data.

The drug’s approval in March 2019 marked the first major breakthrough for depression since 1987. In the summer ...