SUMMIT, N.J. (AFX) - Drug developer Celgene said Tuesday it was notified that Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. has filed an application with regulators to market a generic version of thalidomide, which treats a leprosy condition.
Celgene Corp. markets thalidomide as a cancer treatment under the brand name Thalomid. But the company says it also has approval from the Food and Drug Administration to market the drug in combination with dexamethasone to treat the leprosy condition.
Celgene has previously said it would sue Barr to fight a generic version of the drug. The company said it will file a complaint alleging infringement of its patents within 45 days.
Shares of Celgene fell $1.45 to $56.25 in pre-market trading on INet and closed Friday at $57.70 on the Nasdaq.
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