NEW YORK (AP) — Teva Pharmaceuticals said Friday it filed a lawsuit to block rival drugmaker Mylan Pharmaceuticals from launching a generic version of its multiple sclerosis drug. Mylan previously announced its intent to launch a generic version of Copaxone, a preventive treatment for the autoimmune disorder, which causes movement problems. Teva said in a statement Friday that the patents on the drug are protected through May 2014. The Israeli company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Mylan in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The filing of a lawsuit automatically prevents the Food and Drug Administration from approving the generic version for 30 months or until a court decision is handed down. Drugmakers routinely file patent infringement lawsuits to delay the launch of generic versions of their drugs. Generic drugs sell for as much as 80 percent less than the original branded drug.