Novartis Wins U.S. Appeal Affirming Patent on MS Drug

Novartis AG won a U.S. appeals court ruling that would block HEC Pharm Co. from selling a generic version of the blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug Gilenya until 2027.

In a 2-1 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on Monday affirmed the validity of a patent on the dosage regimen for the drug. HEC was a holdout among two dozen generic-drug makers Novartis sued in 2018, most of which have reached confidential settlements with the Swiss pharmaceutical giant.