Allergan and Alcon reach patent agreement

Allergan and Alcon have settled a patent infringement lawsuit in a US District COurt contending that Alcon's proposed brimonidine 0.15% product infringes two brimonidine-related patents owned by Allergan.

'We are pleased with this settlement and the delayed-entry license taken by Alcon, which respects our intellectual property portfolio,' said Allergan chairman and chief executive David Pyott.

'This delayed-entry license, which we are confident will not commence until September 30, 2009, is in line with Allergan's long-term strategy for our overall brimonidine franchise.'

In addition, Allergan has dropped a separate patent infringement lawsuit against Alcon relating to self-preserved ophthalmic antibiotics.

Allergan's Alphagan product has been used to reduce intraocular pressure in patients for more than five years. Alphagan, Alphagan P 0.1% and Alphagan P 0.15% are indicated for lowering IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.