UPDATE 1-Schering settles final Clarinex patent litigation

LOS ANGELES Aug 11 (Reuters) - Drugmaker Schering-Plough Corp <SGP.N said on Tuesday it settled patent litigation with Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ORCD.BO) related to generic versions of its allergy medication, Clarinex.

The agreement marks the end of all pending lawsuits filed and consolidated since 2006 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against several generic drugmakers that had sought approval to market Clarinex, known generically as desloratadine, in the United States.

Under the settlement, Orchid will have the right to market generic orally-disintegrating desloratadine tablets in the United States on Jan. 1, 2012, and 5 milligram tablets on July 1, 2012.

Schering, which is merging with Merck & Co Inc (MRK.N) said it holds various patents related to Clarinex that extend to 2022.

Total U.S. sales for Clarinex products were $295 million in 2008, the company said