Ranbaxy, Sun Pharma, Cipla, Emcure and Intas, the manufacturers of imatinib myslate brands are all set to challenge the interim stay obtained by Novartis from Madras High Court against the marketing of their products in India. Novartis had moved Madras HC against these companies soon after it was granted exclusive marketing right (EMR) for the drug in India.

The local companies are currently in the process of legal consultation to get the stay vacated. At the same time, they are in no mood to discontinue the production and sales of the drug, it is learnt.

The Madras HC, hearing a petition filed by Novartis, had issued an interim stay restraining six companies such as Cipla, Sun Pharma, Ranbaxy, Hetero, Emcure and Intas, from manufacturing, sales, distribution, marketing and export of the generic version or chemical equivalent of Novartis’ Glivec.

Surprisingly, the Stay has not been imposed on the Hyderabad based Natco Pharma, the leading Indian manufacturer of the drug who has challenged the EMR in the Delhi high Court.

While Ranbaxy and Cipla are yet to make a statement reacting to the stay order, Sun Pharma spokesperson said, “We are evaluating all legal options available. We have no further comment on this issue at this point in time.” Sun Pharma is one of the local manufacturers of imatinib myslate in the country and has been marketing the product since 2001.

Natco sources said, “we are awaiting the Delhi High Court decision on their petition challenging the Patent controller’s decision to grant the EMR to Novartis on this drug”.