Novartis Loses Bid to Block Generic Entresto

Novartis AG faced a legal setback when a federal court denied its attempt to block MSN Pharmaceuticals from launching a generic version of its heart-failure drug, Entresto. U.S. District Judge Richard Andrews ruled that Novartis did not demonstrate a sufficient likelihood of success in its patent-infringement claim, prompting MSN's FDA-approved launch. Despite the ruling, Judge Andrews imposed a temporary three-day hold on sales to allow Novartis to appeal. The case centers on Novartis' allegations that MSN's generic infringes on a patent set to expire in 2026, which the judge found unconvincing. Novartis, which relies heavily on Entresto, generating over $6 billion in revenue last year, is exploring further legal options, including a separate lawsuit challenging the FDA's approval of the generic. The court's decision adds pressure on Novartis as it battles to protect its market share amidst increasing competition from generics.