OSI Pharma files suit against Teva, Mylan

NEW YORK, March 19 (Reuters) - OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc OSIP.O on Thursday announced that it filed two lawsuits against rival drug companies regarding patents associated with Tarceva, OSI's cancer drug, the company said in a statement.

OSI filed the lawsuits in U.S. District Court in Delaware against Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd TEVA.0 and Mylan Inc (MYL.O), claiming patent infringement.

Teva and Mylan had sought permission to manufacture and market a generic version of Tarceva before the three patents expired, the company said in its statement.

The filing of the lawsuit restricts the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from approving those applications until May 18, 2012 barring a court ruling to the contrary, the company said. (Reporting by Helen Chernikoff; Editing by Lincoln Feast)