AstraZeneca Diabetes Drugs Won’t Face Generics Until 2023

Drug giant AstraZeneca AB can breathe a sigh of relief: Its Type 2 diabetes products Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR are safe from generic competition until 2023 (AstraZeneca AB v. Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., 2017 BL 32314, D. Del., C.A. No. 14-664-GMS CONSOLIDATED, 2/2/17).

Upholding AstraZeneca’s patent claiming the products in a Feb. 2 opinion, Judge Gregory M. Sleet of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware rejected generic drugmakers’ arguments the patent was invalid for obviousness.

The ruling means the defendants in the case are barred from launching their generic versions of ...