NEW YORK (AP) -- Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Thursday it is suing rival Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. in a patent dispute over generic versions of the anti-clotting drug Lovenox.
The Cambridge, Mass., company said it filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Teva, alleging the Israeli company violated two patents held by Momenta that are related to its generic version of the drug. Lovenox, or enoxaparin, is used to prevent dangerous blood clots, including clots in the veins of the thigh or leg, or in patients who are having a heart attack or chest pain. The original version of the drug is made by Sanofi-Aventis SA, and it was approved in the U.S. in 1993.
In July, the Food and Drug Administration approved generic versions of Lovenox developed by Momenta and by Novartis AG. Novartis has launched its version, but Momenta has not, and Momenta itself is being sued by Sanofi-Aventis for patent infringement.
Jerusalem-based Teva is the world's largest maker of generic drugs. Officials with the company weren't immediately available to comment on the suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Shares of Momenta Pharmaceuticals rose 4 cents to $15.46 in morning trading, while shares of Teva picked up 8 cents to $50.07.