Forest sues generic companies over Alzheimer's drug

NEW YORK, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Forest Laboratories Inc (FRX.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Thursday it filed patent infringement lawsuits against several companies seeking to sell generic versions of its Alzheimer's disease treatment, Namenda.

Forest, which filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Delaware, said its Namenda patent runs through April 2010, and it has applied for an extension that, if granted, would be in effect until September 2013.

Among the generic drugmakers named in the suit were Israel- based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (TEVA.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc (BRL.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and India's Lupin Ltd (LUPN.BO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

Namenda, one of Forest's most important drugs, had sales of $193 million in its most recently reported quarter.

(Reporting by Bill Berkrot: Editing by Andre Grenon)

((bill.berkrot@reuters.com; +1 646 223-6030; Reuters Messaging: bill.berkrot.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: FORESTLABS/LAWSUIT

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