TEVA Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

By Cristina Roca and Pierre Bertrand

The European Union has informed Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. of its preliminary view that the company breached antitrust rules to shield its multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone from competition.

The bloc's executive arm, the European Commission, said Monday that the Israeli-based pharmaceutical company could have artificially extended its exclusivity on Copaxone by hindering glatiramer acetate competitors from entering the market.

Teva said it will defend itself vigorously against the claims.

"While we will first seek to persuade the EC that their preliminary view is incorrect, we are also prepared if needed to contest any allegations resulting from the EC's investigation using all the legal and other procedural rights at our disposal," it said. It warned the matter could take years to resolve.

Teva had a basic patent on glatiramer acetate, Copaxone's active ingredient, until 2015, the Commission said.

"Our concern is that Teva may have misused the patent system to shield itself from competition," EU Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, said in a statement. "It may have spread misleading information to discredit its closest competitor, to the detriment of patients and public health systems across the EU," she added.

If the alleged violations are confirmed, Teva could be fined, the Commission said.

Write to Cristina Roca at cristina.roca@wsj.com and Pierre Bertrand at pierre.bertrand@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 10, 2022 06:24 ET (10:24 GMT)

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