By Pierre Bertrand

 

The European Union has informed Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. of its preliminary view that the company breached antitrust rules to shield its multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone from competition.

The bloc's executive arm, the European Commission, said Monday that the Israeli-based pharmaceutical company could have artificially extended its exclusivity on Copaxone by hindering glatiramer acetate competitors from entering the market.

Teva had a basic patent on glatiramer acetate, Copaxone's active ingredient, until 2015, the Commission said.

"Our concern is that Teva may have misused the patent system to shield itself from competition," EU Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, said in a statement. "It may have spread misleading information to discredit its closest competitor, to the detriment of patients and public health systems across the EU," she added.

If the alleged violations are confirmed, Teva could be fined, the Commission said.

 

Write to Pierre Bertrand at pierre.bertrand@wsj.com

 

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 10, 2022 04:19 ET (08:19 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2022 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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