Purdue has patents expiring in 2014 and the generics are...

Purdue has patents expiring in 2014 and the generics are coming.

This article sets the scene for what is happening in the US pain sector at the present time and why Purdue is concerned about its $3.5 Billion per annum oxycontin income stream.

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Canadian drugmaker Labopharm Inc's painkiller Ryzolt faces more competition after India's Sun Pharma Global said it planned to manufacture generic versions of the drug.

Sun Pharma applied for an Abbreviated New Drug Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently for approval to market generic versions of Ryzolt, also known as tramadol hydrochloride extended-release in the United States.

Abbreviated New Drug Application is an application for a U.S. generic drug approval for an existing licensed medication or approved drug.

A number of patents, which are owned by Purdue Pharma Products, Labopharm's marketing and distribution partner in the United States, expire in May 2014. Another patent owned by Labopharm expires in June 2020. Labopharm launched Ryzolt in the United States along with marketing partner Purdue earlier this year.

Labopharm was not available for comment, but said in a release that it was 'currently reviewing the notice letter with Purdue to determine the next steps in this matter.'

Labopharm faced another setback last month after a court in Delaware ruled in favor of U.S.-based generic drugmaker Par Pharmaceuticals Inc in a patent-infringement case against Purdue Pharma related to tramadol.