NEW YORK (AP) — Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. disclosed
Wednesday that it is being sued by Genzyme Corp. for patent infringement.
According to Medicis, Genzyme filed a lawsuit alleging Medicis is infringing
on a patent held by Genzyme by marketing the wrinkle fillers Restylane, Perlane,
Restylane-L, and Perlane-L.
Medicis said it received notice of the lawsuit on Friday, and said it is
evaluating the complaint and considering its options. The lawsuit was filed in
the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Medicis acquired the U.S. rights to the products in March 2003 and started
selling Restylane in January 2004. The other products were approved later. The
Scottsdale, Ariz., company said the patents expire in 2015 or later.
Genzyme, which is based in Cambridge, Mass., received marketing approval for
a wrinkle filler called Hylaform in April 2004.
