U.S. generic drug maker Mylan Inc has settled two U.S. patent disputes with global pharma giant Pfizer Inc, which will enable the former to sell the generic versions of cholesterol drug Lipitor and combination blood pressure and cholesterol treatment Caduet.

Mylan said it has entered into a settlement agreement with Pfizer Inc. which will resolve litigation related to Lipitor® Tablets, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg, known generically as Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets. The terms of the agreement are confidential, and the agreement itself is subject to review by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Lipitor is Pfizer's blockbuster drug, garnering U.S. sales of $7.27 billion for the twelve months ending Sept. 30, 2010, according to IMS Health.

Lipitor's patent expires later this year and Pfizer acquired Wyeth for $68 billion in 2009 to partially to help offset the expected blow to sales from Lipitor when copycat versions by Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. and Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc., which are expected to enter the market in November, begin selling. Mylan's settlement doesn't give it an authorized generic, Mylan said.

However, Mylan will be able to market a generic version of Pfizer's blood-pressure and high-cholesterol pill Caduet starting Nov. 30, under a separate settlement with Pfizer. However, it is dependent on certain circumstances, which neither Mylan nor Pfizer elaborated.

Settlement Department of justice Lawsuit Intellectual property law