Pharmaceutical giant Merck has found itself facing antitrust allegations, with a lawsuit filed in a New Jersey district court. The claim alleges that Merck engaged in anticompetitive behaviors and unlawful business practices, violating antitrust and consumer protection laws. These allegations hinge on the company’s dealings concerning two cholesterol-reducing drugs.
The lawsuit came to light via Law.com Radar, a rapid-alert platform for recently lodged state and federal court cases. This filing is one of many such instances of noteworthy legal actions that Law.com Radar provides insights on, as they work to broaden their coverage to include state court filings nationwide.
The complaint raised against Merck goes on to contend that the company had previously confessed that its own lawsuit lacked substantial grounds. This confession was based on the company’s failure to reveal prior art to the United States Patent and Trademark Office that, had it been shared, could have led to the refusal of patent protection for Zetia, one of Merck’s cholesterol therapies. According to the plaintiffs, this lapse resulted in Merck provoking a 30-month hold that hindered the final approval of Glenmark’s ANDA by the Food & Drug Administration.
More comprehensive information on the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Merck can be found in the original article.