As pharmaceutical Patent Litigation attains prominence, yet another suit has been initiated by Takeda Pharma, a Japanese pharmaceutical company against Dr Reddy’s Labs for allegedly infringing the anti-diabetic drug Actos (pioglitazone hydrochloride), a prescription drug for control of Type 2 diabetes. The drug is amongst the largest selling diabetic drugs globally, and the eighth largest selling prescription drug in any therapeutic segment in the US market. Dr Reddy’s is alleged of infringement since they attempted to manufacture and market the same in the US. The drug under contention is known to have large revenues associated with it. Further, Takeda previously has entered into out-of-court settlements with other drug manufacturers in respect of dispute over the molecule.  The patent over Actos expires in the US in January 2011, while that in other countries may expire in 2016. The licensing agreement entered into by Takeda with other companies in August 2012.

 It is yet to be seen as to how Takeda shall take on the present dispute in India. Going by its past experience in patent disputes, the possibility of an out-of court settlement cannot be ruled out, pertinently in view of the time and expenditure that patent disputes entail.