NEW YORK (AP) -- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said Monday that its patent infringement lawsuit against companies that are trying to market a generic version of its multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone will go to trial.
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York declined a motion for summary judgment on the patents supporting Copaxone, Teva said. Copaxone is the company's best-selling branded product and the top MS drug in the world by revenue. The Israeli company is suing Novartis AG's Sandoz unit, Momenta Pharmaceuticals Inc., Mylan Inc., and Natco Pharma Ltd. It said the trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 7.
Teva also said the court supported its interpretation of the patent claims and rejected the interpretations put forth by the other companies. The company says Copaxone has patent protection through May 2014. Teva is also the world's biggest maker of generic drugs.
Shares of Teva rose $1.17, or 3 percent, to $40.59 as the markets traded higher.