Solvay claims patent infringement against Teva

BRUSSELS, March 3 (Reuters) - Belgian drugs, chemicals and plastics maker Solvay (SOLB.BR) said on Monday two of its subsidiaries had filed patent infringement actions in the United States against Teva Pharmaceuticals (TEVA.O).

Teva informed Solvay in January that it had filed an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval of a generic version of Solvay's cholestrol-fighting drug Tricor, Solvay said in a statement.

The patent infringment was filed by Fournier Laboratories Ireland Ltd (LFI) and Laboratoires Fournier S.A. (LFSA), wholly-owned subsidiaries of Solvay Pharmaceuticals.

The announcement did not say in what forum the action was filed.