The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has ruled in favor of Aptalis Pharmatech and Cephalon, regarding the validity of two patents covering the Amrix muscle relaxant.
The two patents, owned by Aptalis and licensed to Cephalon, will expire in 2023 and 2025.
Aptalis president John Fraher said, "Aptalis Pharmaceutical Technologies endeavors to offer to our partners the most effective patent protection possible of our broad and diversified portfolio and this court decision confirms the strength of these formulation patents."
Amrix (Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules) is indicated for short-term relief of muscle spasm as an add-on to rest and physical therapy.
Aptalis Pharmaceutical's Diffucaps technology was used in Amrix, a modified-release formulation and once-daily dosing of cyclobenzaprine.
