Indian Patent Number 247,301 is owned by DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals (DSP), and relates to enzymatic processes used to manufacture amoxicillin trihydrate.
“DSP tested Weiqida’s amoxicillin trihydrate samples to reverse engineer the manufacturing process likely used in their production,” DSM director of branding and communication Alice Beijersbergen told in-PharmaTechnologist.
“Weiqida failed to substantively defend against our claims of infringement or provide evidence of the use of an alternative process,” she said.
The ruling prevents the manufacture, use, importation, offering of sale and sale of Weiqida’s amoxicillin trihydrate active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in India.
The injunction also prohibits these activities for any drug product that utilises the API.
“By restricting the flow of the Weiqida API through India, we disrupt the supply chain of infringing API,” said Beijersbergen.
Enzymes for antibiotics
According to DSP, its patented technologies have green, enzymatic routes for the production of amoxicillin and other antibiotics.
“DSP is continuing to invest in this sustainable technology, so it is important that our investment is protected from infringement, especially in major pharmaceutical markets like India,” said Beijersbergen.
“DSP is open to licensing its technology to third parties, but it cannot tolerate infringement,” she said.
DSP has also filed patent litigation against Weiqida in the Netherlands over the European equivalent of this patent.