Indivior Is Granted Preliminary Injunction on Generic (buprenorphine and naloxone) Sublingual Film

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Jul 13, 2018, 18:22 ET

SLOUGH, England, July 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Indivior PLC (LON: INDV) ("Indivior" or the "Company") today announced that the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey has granted a preliminary injunction (PI) against Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (DRL). The restrictions of the previously entered temporary restraining order (TRO) remain in place, and DRL is unable to sell, offer to sell, or import its generic buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual film product, pending the outcome of recently filed litigation against DRL related to U.S. Patent No. 9,931,305 (the '305 patent), or a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit dissolving the injunction. The Court has also ordered the parties to submit a final proposed injunction order on Monday, July 16.

The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey has also ordered Indivior to post a bond to provide security to DRL should the court conclude at the end of patent litigation that the '305 patent is invalid and/or not infringed. The bond amount will be determined by the court at a later date.

As noted in the press releases Indivior published on June 15th and July 11th, DRL sold a quantity of its generic buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual film into the U.S. market prior to the granting of a temporary restraining order (TRO) on 15th June. Indivior does not know the exact quantity of product sold by DRL prior to the issuance of the TRO, but based on the recent abrupt loss of market share for its SUBOXONE® Film, anticipates the FY 2018 net revenue impact to be at least $25m. Reflecting this and other U.S. market developments, Indivior noted that its FY 2018 financial guidance is no longer valid and that it cannot reliably provide updated FY 2018 net revenue and adjusted net income guidance until the impact of DRL's launch is better understood. The Company expects that this will be no later than its third quarter results announcement, currently scheduled for November 1st.

Shaun Thaxter, CEO of Indivior, said:

"As a result of today's court ruling, Dr. Reddy's is prevented from re-launching its generic product until the patent litigation related to the '305 patent is concluded or until DRL prevails on an appeal of this injunction. While we do not know the timing for these events, we will continue to vigorously defend our intellectual property.

It is important to recognize that the court's decision does not prevent patients or payors from accessing existing generic sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone medications, as all currently available treatments are unaffected by today's ruling. The U.S. market for medication-assisted treatment is already highly competitive with multiple therapies available, over half of which are generic medicines.

However, patients can face other challenges accessing treatment—such as difficulty finding a treatment provider or dealing with the stigma associated with addiction. Indivior will continue to advocate for broader access to medication-assisted treatment in appropriate forums and remains committed to addressing these challenges through public policy and education efforts.

Protecting the integrity of our intellectual property is fundamental to our ability to deliver our Vision that all patients around the world have access to evidence-based treatment for addiction and its co-occurring disorders. For more than 20 years, we have worked together with stakeholders to educate on the disease of opioid addiction, advocate for access to evidence-based treatment, and progress our pipeline of innovative treatments for substance use disorders (SUD).

SUBLOCADE™ (buprenorphine extended-release) injection, our latest innovative treatment, is a once-monthly injectable buprenorphine formulation for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder. SUBLOCADE™ is an important scientific innovation and testament to our focus on understanding patients' unmet needs and accelerating the development of new medications."

Corporate Website www.indivior.com

This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of shares in the Company to any person in any jurisdiction to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

About Indivior
Indivior is a global specialty pharmaceutical company with a 20-year legacy of leadership in patient advocacy and health policy while providing education on evidence-based treatment models that have revolutionized modern addiction treatment. The name is the fusion of the words individual and endeavour, and the tagline "Focus on you" makes the Company's commitment clear. Indivior is dedicated to transforming addiction from a global human crisis to a recognized and treated chronic disease. Building on its global portfolio of opioid dependence treatments, Indivior has a strong pipeline of product candidates designed to both expand on its heritage in this category and address other chronic conditions and co-occurring disorders of addiction, including alcohol use disorder and schizophrenia. Headquartered in the United States in Richmond, VA, Indivior employs more than 900 individuals globally and its portfolio of products is available in over 40 countries worldwide. Visit www.indivior.com to learn more.

Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains certain statements that are forward-looking and which should be considered, amongst other statutory provisions, in light of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty as they relate to events or circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements because they relate to future events. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the Indivior Group's financial guidance for 2018 and its medium- and long-term growth outlook, its operational goals, its product development pipeline and statements regarding ongoing litigation.

Various factors may cause differences between Indivior's expectations and actual results, including: factors affecting sales of Indivior Group's products; the outcome of research and development activities; decisions by regulatory authorities regarding the Indivior Group's drug applications; the speed with which regulatory authorizations, pricing approvals and product launches may be achieved; the outcome of post-approval clinical trials; competitive developments; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; the impact of existing and future legislation and regulatory provisions on product exclusivity; trends toward managed care and healthcare cost containment; legislation or regulatory action affecting pharmaceutical product pricing, reimbursement or access; claims and concerns that may arise regarding the safety or efficacy of the Indivior Group's products and product candidates; risks related to legal proceedings, including the ongoing investigative and antitrust litigation matters; the Indivior Group's ability to protect its patents and other intellectual property; the outcome of patent infringement litigation relating to Indivior Group's products, including the ongoing ANDA lawsuits; changes in governmental laws and regulations; issues related to the outsourcing of certain operational and staff functions to third parties; uncertainties related to general economic, political, business, industry, regulatory and market conditions; and the impact of acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, internal reorganizations, product recalls and withdrawals and other unusual items.

Indication
SUBOXONE^® (buprenorphine and naloxone) Sublingual Film (CIII) is a prescription medicine indicated for treatment of opioid dependence and should be used as part of a complete treatment plan to include counseling and psychosocial support.

Treatment should be initiated under the direction of healthcare providers qualified under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act.

Important Safety Information
Do not take SUBOXONE® Film if you are allergic to buprenorphine or naloxone as serious negative effects, including anaphylactic shock, have been reported.

SUBOXONE® Film can be abused in a manner similar to other opioids, legal or illicit.

SUBOXONE® Film contains buprenorphine, an opioid that can cause physical dependence with chronic use. Physical dependence is not the same as addiction. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the difference between physical dependence and drug addiction. Do not stop taking SUBOXONE® Film suddenly without talking to your healthcare provider. You could become sick with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms because your body has become used to this medicine.

SUBOXONE® Film can cause serious life-threatening breathing problems, overdose and death, particularly when taken by the intravenous (IV) route in combination with benzodiazepines or other medications that act on the nervous system (ie, sedatives, tranquilizers, or alcohol). It is extremely dangerous to take nonprescribed benzodiazepines or other medications that act on the nervous system while taking SUBOXONE® Film.

You should not drink alcohol while taking SUBOXONE® Film, as this can lead to loss of consciousness or even death.

Death has been reported in those who are not opioid dependent.

Your healthcare provider may monitor liver function before and during treatment.

SUBOXONE® Film is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment and may not be appropriate for patients with moderate hepatic impairment. However, SUBOXONE® Film may be used with caution for maintenance treatment in patients with moderate hepatic impairment who have initiated treatment on a buprenorphine product without naloxone.

Keep SUBOXONE® Film out of the sight and reach of children. Accidental or deliberate ingestion of SUBOXONE® Film by a child can cause severe breathing problems and death.

Do not take SUBOXONE® Film before the effects of other opioids (eg, heroin, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone) have subsided as you may experience withdrawal symptoms.

Injecting the SUBOXONE® Film product may cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as pain, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, sleep problems, and cravings.

Before taking SUBOXONE® Film, tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider as withdrawal signs and symptoms should be monitored closely and the dose adjusted as necessary. If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking SUBOXONE® Film, alert your healthcare provider immediately and you should report it using the contact information provided below.

Opioid‐dependent women on buprenorphine maintenance therapy may require additional analgesia during labor.

Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) is an expected and treatable outcome of prolonged use of opioids during pregnancy, whether that use is medically-authorized or illicit. Unlike opioid withdrawal syndrome in adults, NOWS may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated in the neonate. Healthcare professionals should observe newborns for signs of NOWS and manage accordingly.

Before taking SUBOXONE® Film, talk to your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed your baby. The active ingredients of SUBOXONE® Film can pass into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should consider the development and health benefits of breastfeeding along with your clinical need for SUBOXONE® Film and should also consider any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition.

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform any other dangerous activities until you know how SUBOXONE® Film affects you. Buprenorphine in SUBOXONE® Film can cause drowsiness and slow reaction times during dose-adjustment periods.

Common side effects of SUBOXONE® Film include nausea, vomiting, drug withdrawal syndrome, headache, sweating, numb mouth, constipation, painful tongue, redness of the mouth, intoxication (feeling lightheaded or drunk), disturbance in attention, irregular heartbeat, decrease in sleep, blurred vision, back pain, fainting, dizziness, and sleepiness.

This is not a complete list of potential adverse events associated with SUBOXONE® Film. Please see full Prescribing Information for a complete list.

*To report pregnancy or side effects associated with taking SUBOXONE® Film, please call 1-877-782-6966. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For more information about SUBOXONE® Film, SUBOXONE^® (buprenorphine and naloxone) Sublingual Tablets (CIII), or SUBUTEX^® (buprenorphine) Sublingual Tablets (CIII), please see the respective full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide at www.suboxoneREMS.com.

INDICATION AND USAGE

SUBLOCADE™ (buprenorphine extended-release) injection for subcutaneous use (CIII) is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe opioid use disorder in patients who have initiated treatment with a transmucosal buprenorphine-containing product followed by a dose adjustment period for a minimum of seven days.

SUBLOCADE™ should be used as part of a complete treatment program that includes counseling and psychosocial support.

WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS HARM OR DEATH WITH INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION; SUBLOCADE™ RISK EVALUATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGY

• Serious harm or death could result if administered intravenously. SUBLOCADE™ forms a solid mass upon contact with body fluids and may cause occlusion, local tissue damage, and thrombo-embolic events, including life threatening pulmonary emboli, if administered intravenously.

• Because of the risk of serious harm or death that could result from intravenous self-administration, SUBLOCADE™ is only available through a restricted program called the SUBLOCADE™ REMS Program. Healthcare settings and pharmacies that order and dispense SUBLOCADE™ must be certified in this program and comply with the REMS requirements.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Prescription use of this product is limited under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
SUBLOCADE™ should not be administered to patients who have been shown to be hypersensitive to buprenorphine or any component of the ATRIGEL® delivery system

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse: SUBLOCADE™ contains buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance that can be abused in a manner similar to other opioids. Monitor patients for conditions indicative of diversion or progression of opioid dependence and addictive behaviors.

Respiratory Depression: Life threatening respiratory depression and death have occurred in association with buprenorphine. Warn patients of the potential danger of self-administration of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants while under treatment with SUBLOCADE™.

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome is an expected and treatable outcome of prolonged use of opioids during pregnancy.

Adrenal Insufficiency: If diagnosed, treat with physiologic replacement of corticosteroids, and wean patient off of the opioid.

Risk of Opioid Withdrawal With Abrupt Discontinuation: If treatment with SUBLOCADE™ is discontinued, monitor patients for several months for withdrawal and treat appropriately.

Risk of Hepatitis, Hepatic Events: Monitor liver function tests prior to and during treatment.

Risk of Withdrawal in Patients Dependent on Full Agonist Opioids: Verify that patient is clinically stable on transmucosal buprenorphine before injecting SUBLOCADE™.

Treatment of Emergent Acute Pain: Treat pain with a non-opioid analgesic whenever possible. If opioid therapy is required, monitor patients closely because higher doses may be required for analgesic effect.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Adverse reactions commonly associated with SUBLOCADE™ (in ≥5% of subjects) were constipation, headache, nausea, injection site pruritus, vomiting, increased hepatic enzymes, fatigue, and injection site pain.

The full prescribing information, including BOXED WARNING, for SUBLOCADE™ can be found here: http://www.indivior.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018_01_12-CLEAN-USPI-SUBLOCADE.pdf

SOURCE Indivior PLC