Sanofi has filed a patent infringement suit against Eli Lilly and Company in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. In its suit Sanofi alleges infringement of four patents. The suit was triggered by notifications received from Lilly beginning in mid-December, in which Lilly stated that it had filed a NDA (505(b)(2) New Drug Application) with FDA for an insulin glargine drug product.

Lilly also stated that its NDA included a paragraph IV certification challenging six of the seven Sanofi patents listed in the FDA Orange Book for Sanofi’s Lantus and Lantus SoloStar products.

Lilly has also stated that it will not launch its product before the expiry of Sanofi’s patent on the active ingredient in Lantus, which is in force through February 12, 2015.

Sanofi, an integrated global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs,  consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme.