`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
`INDIANAPOLIS DIVISION
`
`
`
`ELI LILLY AND COMPANY,
`
`
`
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`v.
`
`
`DR. REDDY’S LABORATORIES, LTD. and
`DR. REDDY’S LABORATORIES, INC.,
`
`
`Defendants.
`
`
`
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`Civil Action No. 1:19-cv-1246
`
`Plaintiff Eli Lilly and Company (“Lilly”), by its attorneys, hereby alleges as follows:
`
`NATURE OF THE ACTION
`
`1.
`
`This is an action for patent infringement under the patent laws of the United
`
`States, Title 35, United States Code, that arises out of the filing by defendant Dr. Reddy’s
`
`Laboratories, Inc. on behalf of defendant Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. (collectively, “DRL”) of
`
`an amendment to New Drug Application (“NDA”) No. 208297 with the U.S. Food and Drug
`
`Administration (“FDA”) seeking approval to manufacture and sell a Pemetrexed for Injection
`
`1g/vial product (“DRL’s NDA Product”) prior to the expiration of U.S. Patent No. 7,772,209
`
`(“the ’209 patent”). DRL notified Lilly that it had submitted this amendment by letter dated
`
`February 11, 2019 (the “Notice Letter”). Upon information and belief, DRL’s NDA Product will
`
`be marketed as a competing product to ALIMTA®, a chemotherapy agent developed and
`
`distributed by Lilly and used for the treatment of various types of cancer.
`
`2.
`
`In Eli Lilly and Company v. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. et al., No. 1:16-cv-
`
`308-TWP-MPB (S.D. Ind.), this Court concluded—after a two-day bench trial—that the sale of
`
`
`
`Case 1:19-cv-01246-JMS-MJD Document 1 Filed 03/27/19 Page 2 of 13 PageID #: 2
`
`the 100 mg/vial and 500 mg/vial Pemetrexed for Injection products that are the subject of NDA
`
`No. 208297 would indirectly infringe the ’209 patent. Specifically, the Court held that the
`
`administration of these products according to the labeling proposed by DRL would infringe
`
`certain claims of the ’209 patent under the doctrine of equivalents, and that DRL would induce
`
`and contribute to that infringement. Accordingly, the Court entered final judgment in favor of
`
`Lilly and against DRL, finding that the “filing of NDA No. 208297 infringed at least claims 9,
`
`10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, and 22 of U.S. Patent No. 7,772,209” and ordering that “the
`
`effective date of any approval of any product that is the subject of NDA No. 208297 shall not be
`
`earlier than the latest date of expiration of U.S. Patent No. 7,772,209, including any period of
`
`pediatric exclusivity.” No. 1:16-cv-308-TWP-MPB, ECF 259 (S.D. Ind. Jul. 27, 2018).
`
`3.
`
`Upon information and belief, the only difference between DRL’s NDA Product at
`
`issue in this case and the 100 mg/vial and 500 mg/vial Pemetrexed for Injection products found
`
`to infringe under the doctrine of equivalents, is the quantity of DRL’s product in each vial. In
`
`terms of the method of administration claimed in the ’209 patent, the 1g/vial product that is the
`
`subject of this action is identical to the 100 mg/vial and 500 mg/vial Pemetrexed for Injection
`
`products already adjudicated. Thus, all of the factual and legal questions at issue in this case
`
`have already been litigated between the parties and decided in favor of Lilly, and Lilly is entitled
`
`to entry of judgment.
`
`PARTIES
`
`4.
`
`Lilly is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of
`
`Indiana, having its corporate offices and place of business at Lilly Corporate Center,
`
`Indianapolis, Indiana 46285.
`
`5.
`
`Upon information and belief, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. is a corporation
`
`2
`
`
`
`Case 1:19-cv-01246-JMS-MJD Document 1 Filed 03/27/19 Page 3 of 13 PageID #: 3
`
`organized and existing under the laws of India, having a place of business at 8-2-337, Road
`
`No. 3, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad-500034, Telangana, India.
`
`6.
`
`Upon information and belief, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc. is a corporation
`
`organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey, having a place of business at
`
`107 College Road East, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. Upon information and belief, Dr. Reddy’s
`
`Laboratories, Inc. is in the business of manufacturing, marketing, and selling generic drug
`
`products.
`
`7.
`
`Upon information and belief, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc. is an indirect wholly-
`
`owned subsidiary of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. Upon information and belief, Dr. Reddy’s
`
`Laboratories, Inc. and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. are agents and/or alter-egos of one another,
`
`operate in concert as integrated parts of the same business group, and enter or have entered into
`
`agreements with each other that are nearer than arm’s length, including with respect to the
`
`manufacture, importation, marketing, sale, and distribution of DRL’s NDA Product.
`
`JURISDICTION
`
`8.
`
`This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1338(a),
`
`2201, and 2202.
`
`9.
`
`Upon information and belief, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. is engaged in
`
`developing, manufacturing, marketing, selling, and distributing a broad range of generic
`
`pharmaceutical products globally. Upon information and belief, a substantial number of these
`
`products are marketed throughout the United States, including in the State of Indiana. Upon
`
`information and belief, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. operates its manufacturing, marketing,
`
`sales, and distribution infrastructure in the United States through Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc.
`
`as a vertically-integrated company.
`
`3
`
`
`
`Case 1:19-cv-01246-JMS-MJD Document 1 Filed 03/27/19 Page 4 of 13 PageID #: 4
`
`10.
`
`Upon information and belief, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc. performs functions
`
`relating to Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd., including manufacturing, marketing, and sales.
`
`Anjum Swaroom, Esq., who is listed in DRL’s Notice Letter as the Vice President, Intellectual
`
`Property of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc., is designated as the agent of Dr. Reddy’s
`
`Laboratories, Ltd. for service of process with respect to this litigation. Upon information and
`
`belief, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc. participated with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. in the
`
`preparation, review, and/or submission of NDA No. 208297 and the amendments thereto.
`
`11.
`
`Upon information and belief, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc. is engaged in the
`
`manufacturing, marketing, and sale of generic pharmaceutical products for the United States
`
`prescription drug market on behalf of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. Upon information and
`
`belief, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. provides Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc. with products for
`
`sale in the United States. Upon information and belief, those products are then marketed, sold,
`
`and distributed to oncologists, clinics, and hospitals throughout the United States, including in
`
`Indiana, as well as to wholesalers, who sell, with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd.’s knowledge,
`
`Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.’s products, including in Indiana. Upon information and belief,
`
`Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc. and/or its affiliates will distribute DRL’s NDA Product in the
`
`United States, including in Indiana, upon approval of NDA No. 208297 and the amendments
`
`thereto.
`
`12.
`
`Upon information and belief, DRL has availed itself of the legal protections of the
`
`State of Indiana by filing claims or counterclaims affirmatively seeking relief in other prior
`
`actions in this Court, including Eli Lilly and Company v. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. et al.,
`
`1:16-cv-308-TWP-MPB (S.D. Ind.). In that case DRL affirmatively filed a counterclaim, asking
`
`this Court to adjudicate the infringement issues with respect to the same NDA No. 208297 that
`
`4
`
`
`
`Case 1:19-cv-01246-JMS-MJD Document 1 Filed 03/27/19 Page 5 of 13 PageID #: 5
`
`has now been amended. Thus, upon information and belief, DRL has consented to the
`
`jurisdiction of this Court with respect to adjudicating the infringement of DRL’s NDA Product.
`
`13.
`
`Upon information and belief, DRL regularly does business in Indiana and has
`
`engaged in a persistent course of conduct within Indiana by continuously and systematically
`
`placing goods into the stream of commerce for distribution throughout the United States,
`
`including Indiana, and/or by directly selling pharmaceutical products in Indiana.
`
`14.
`
`Upon information and belief, DRL has sought approval in its amendment to NDA
`
`No. 208297 to distribute DRL’s NDA Product in the United States, including in Indiana (and in
`
`this District) and will do so upon approval of the amendment to NDA No. 208297. The filing of
`
`NDA No. 208297 and the amendments thereto is therefore tightly tied, in purpose and planned
`
`effect, to the deliberate making of sales in Indiana and this District, and reliably indicates that
`
`DRL plans to engage in the marketing of DRL’s NDA Product in this State and District.
`
`15.
`
`Upon information and belief, with knowledge of the processes described in the
`
`Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”), 21 U.S.C. § 355(b) and the Drug Price Competition
`
`and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, 21 U.S.C. § 355(j) (the “Hatch Waxman Act”), DRL
`
`directed its Notice Letter to Lilly, an entity incorporated in Indiana, at its corporate headquarters
`
`in Indiana, and alleged in the Notice Letter the invalidity, unenforceability, and/or non-
`
`infringement of Lilly’s ’209 patent. Upon information and belief, DRL deliberately challenged
`
`Lilly’s patent rights, and knew when it did so that it was triggering a forty-five-day period for
`
`Lilly to bring an action for patent infringement under the FDCA. Moreover, upon information
`
`and belief, DRL knew that other FDCA and/or Hatch-Waxman Act infringement actions relating
`
`to the ’209 patent had been brought and litigated in Indiana, including the prior infringement
`
`action against DRL with respect to the same NDA.
`
`5
`
`
`
`Case 1:19-cv-01246-JMS-MJD Document 1 Filed 03/27/19 Page 6 of 13 PageID #: 6
`
`16.
`
`Because Lilly is incorporated and has its principal place of business in Indiana,
`
`the injury and consequences of DRL’s filing of NDA No. 208297 and the amendments thereto,
`
`challenging Lilly’s patent rights, are suffered in Indiana. Upon information and belief, DRL
`
`knew that it was deliberately challenging the patent rights of an Indiana entity and seeking to
`
`challenge intellectual property held in Indiana and that the effects of any successful challenge of
`
`the ’209 patent would be felt by Lilly in Indiana.
`
`17.
`
`Upon information and belief, if the amendment to NDA No. 208297 is approved,
`
`DRL will directly or indirectly market and/or sell DRL’s NDA Product within the United States,
`
`including in Indiana, consistent with DRL’s practices for the marketing and distribution of other
`
`pharmaceutical products on its own or through its affiliates. Upon information and belief, DRL
`
`and/or its affiliates regularly do business in Indiana, and their practices with other
`
`pharmaceutical products have involved the distribution of DRL products, directly or indirectly,
`
`throughout the United States, including in Indiana. Upon information and belief, DRL’s
`
`pharmaceutical products are used and/or consumed within and throughout the United States,
`
`including Indiana.
`
`18.
`
`Upon information and belief, DRL and its affiliates derive substantial revenue
`
`from pharmaceutical products that are used and/or consumed within Indiana, and which are
`
`manufactured by DRL or its affiliates and/or for which DRL is the named applicant on approved
`
`NDAs or Abbreviated New Drug Applications (“ANDAs”). Upon information and belief,
`
`various products for which DRL, or its affiliates, is the named applicant on approved NDAs and
`
`ANDAs are available at pharmacies in Indiana.
`
`19.
`
`Upon information and belief, if NDA No. 208297 is approved, DRL’s NDA
`
`Product, under the direction and control of physicians practicing in Indiana, will be administered
`
`6
`
`
`
`Case 1:19-cv-01246-JMS-MJD Document 1 Filed 03/27/19 Page 7 of 13 PageID #: 7
`
`to patients of Indiana. These activities, as well as DRL’s marketing, selling, and/or distributing
`
`of DRL’s NDA Product, would have a substantial effect within Indiana and would constitute
`
`infringement of Lilly’s patent in the event that DRL’s NDA Product is approved before the ’209
`
`patent expires.
`
`20.
`
`For the reasons described above, among others, the filing of the amendment to
`
`NDA No. 208297 was suit-related conduct with a substantial connection to Indiana and this
`
`District, the exercise of personal jurisdiction over DRL does not offend traditional notions of fair
`
`play and substantial justice, and this Court may properly exercise personal jurisdiction over Dr.
`
`Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc.
`
`21.
`
`Alternatively, if the exercise of personal jurisdiction over Dr. Reddy’s
`
`Laboratories Ltd. in this Court is not held to be proper, then, upon information and belief, Dr.
`
`Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. is not subject to jurisdiction in any state’s courts of general
`
`jurisdiction, and there is therefore personal jurisdiction over Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. in
`
`this Court pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(k)(2).
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`22.
`
`ALIMTA® is indicated (in combination with cisplatin) (a) for the treatment of
`
`patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, or (b) for the initial treatment of locally advanced
`
`or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”). ALIMTA® is also indicated
`
`as a single-agent for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous
`
`NSCLC after prior chemotherapy. ALIMTA® is also indicated for maintenance treatment of
`
`patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC whose disease has not
`
`progressed after four cycles of platinum-based first-line chemotherapy. ALIMTA® is also
`
`approved for the initial treatment of patients with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC, with no
`
`7
`
`
`
`Case 1:19-cv-01246-JMS-MJD Document 1 Filed 03/27/19 Page 8 of 13 PageID #: 8
`
`EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations in combination with pembrolizumab and platinum
`
`chemotherapy.
`
`23.
`
`Lilly sells ALIMTA® in the United States pursuant to an NDA that has been
`
`approved by the FDA.
`
`24.
`
`The ’209 patent, titled “Antifolate Combination Therapies,” was duly and legally
`
`issued on August 10, 2010. The validity of the ’209 patent was upheld by the Federal Circuit in
`
`Eli Lilly and Company v. Teva Parenteral Medicines, Inc., 845 F.3d 1357 (Fed. Cir. 2017). The
`
`’209 patent is attached as Exhibit A hereto.
`
`25.
`
`Lilly is the assignee of the ’209 patent.
`
`26.
`
`An actual case or controversy exists between Lilly and DRL with respect to
`
`infringement of the ’209 patent.
`
`27.
`
`Lilly received DRL’s Notice Letter on February 12, 2019. This action is being
`
`filed within 45 days of Lilly’s receipt of DRL’s Notice Letter.
`
`28.
`
`Both the ’209 patent and NDA No. 208297 were previously the subject of
`
`litigation between Lilly and DRL. DRL notified Lilly that it had filed NDA No. 208297 by letter
`
`dated December 22, 2015, and Lilly filed suit against DRL on February 5, 2016, alleging that the
`
`filing of DRL’s NDA infringed the ’209 patent. See No. 1:16-cv-308-TWP-MPB, ECF 1 (S.D.
`
`Ind. Feb. 5, 2016). DRL could have challenged the validity of the ’209 patent as a counterclaim
`
`or affirmative defense to Lilly’s claim of patent infringement, but did not do so. See No. 1:16-
`
`cv-308-TWP-MPB, ECF 17 (S.D. Ind. Mar. 7, 2016). DRL is thus barred by the doctrines of res
`
`judicata and/or collateral estoppel from challenging the validity of any claim of the ’209 patent
`
`that was adjudicated in the prior litigation. After a two-day bench trial, this Court found that by
`
`filing NDA No. 208297, DRL indirectly infringed certain claims of the ’209 patent and entered
`
`8
`
`
`
`Case 1:19-cv-01246-JMS-MJD Document 1 Filed 03/27/19 Page 9 of 13 PageID #: 9
`
`final judgment in favor of Lilly on July 27, 2018. Under the doctrines of res judicata and/or
`
`collateral estoppel, DRL is further barred from contesting infringement under any theory that
`
`was adjudicated in the prior litigation between Lilly and DRL involving NDA No. 208297 and
`
`the ’209 patent.
`
`COUNT I
`(Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,772,209)
`
`29.
`
`Lilly incorporates each of the preceding paragraphs as if fully set forth herein.
`
`30.
`
`Upon information and belief, the administration of DRL’s NDA Product, which
`
`contains pemetrexed ditromethamine, is equivalent to the administration of pemetrexed
`
`disodium.
`
`31.
`
`As this Court has found, pemetrexed ditromethamine and pemetrexed disodium
`
`both dissociate in the aqueous solutions that are to be infused into patients, and consequently
`
`patients receiving DRL’s NDA Product will receive exactly the same active pemetrexed moiety
`
`as those receiving pemetrexed disodium. Thus, administering DRL’s NDA Product and
`
`administering pemetrexed disodium are insubstantially different from one another.
`
`32.
`
`Upon information and belief, the proposed labeling for DRL’s NDA Product
`
`involves administration of folic acid and vitamins B12.
`
`33.
`
`Upon information and belief, the use of DRL’s NDA Product in accordance with
`
`and as directed by DRL’s proposed labeling for that product will infringe claims 1–22 of the
`
`’209 patent under the doctrine of equivalents.
`
`34.
`
`In addition, upon information and belief, the administration of DRL’s NDA
`
`Product will at least under certain circumstances be performed together with the administration
`
`of saline solution, thus constituting administration of pemetrexed disodium, and in consequence,
`
`the administration of DRL’s NDA Product as directed by DRL’s proposed labeling will literally
`
`9
`
`
`
`Case 1:19-cv-01246-JMS-MJD Document 1 Filed 03/27/19 Page 10 of 13 PageID #: 10
`
`infringe claims 1–22 of the ’209 patent.
`
`35.
`
`Upon information and belief, DRL filed as part of its amendment to NDA
`
`No. 208297 a certification of the type described in Section 505(b)(2)(A)(iv) of the FDCA, 21
`
`U.S.C. § 355(b)(2)(A)(iv), asserting that the claims of the ’209 patent are invalid, unenforceable,
`
`and/or not infringed by the manufacture, use, offer for sale, or sale of DRL’s NDA Product.
`
`36.
`
`The purpose of filing the amendment to NDA No. 208297 was to obtain approval
`
`under the FDCA to engage in the commercial manufacture, use, offer for sale, and/or sale of
`
`DRL’s NDA Product prior to the expiration of the ’209 patent.
`
`37.
`
`DRL’s submission of the amendment to NDA No. 208297 for the purpose of
`
`obtaining approval to engage in the commercial manufacture, use, offer for sale, and/or sale of
`
`DRL’s NDA Product prior to the expiration of the ’209 patent is an act of infringement of the
`
`’209 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 271(e)(2)(A).
`
`38.
`
`Upon information and belief, DRL intends to engage in the manufacture, use,
`
`offer for sale, sale, marketing, distribution, and/or importation of DRL’s NDA Product and the
`
`proposed labeling therefor immediately and imminently upon the approval of NDA No. 208297
`
`and any amendments thereto, i.e., prior to the expiration of the ’209 patent.
`
`39.
`
`Upon information and belief, DRL has knowledge of the claims of the ’209
`
`patent. Notwithstanding this knowledge, DRL continues to assert its intent to engage in the
`
`manufacture, use, offer for sale, sale, marketing, distribution, and/or importation of DRL’s NDA
`
`Product and the proposed labeling therefor immediately and imminently upon the approval of
`
`NDA No. 208297 and any amendments thereto.
`
`40.
`
`Upon information and belief, DRL plans and intends to, and will, actively induce
`
`infringement of the ’209 patent when NDA No. 208297 and any amendments thereto are
`
`10
`
`
`
`Case 1:19-cv-01246-JMS-MJD Document 1 Filed 03/27/19 Page 11 of 13 PageID #: 11
`
`approved, and plans and intends to, and will, do so immediately and imminently upon approval.
`
`41.
`
`Upon information and belief, DRL knows that DRL’s NDA Product is especially
`
`made or adapted for use in infringing the ’209 patent, and that DRL’s NDA Product is not
`
`suitable for substantial noninfringing use. Upon information and belief, DRL plans and intends
`
`to, and will, contribute to infringement of the ’209 patent immediately and imminently upon
`
`approval of NDA No. 208297 and any amendments thereto.
`
`42.
`
`The foregoing actions by DRL constitute and/or will constitute infringement of
`
`the ’209 patent, active inducement of infringement of the ’209 patent, and contribution to the
`
`infringement by others of the ’209 patent.
`
`43.
`
`Unless DRL is enjoined from infringing the ’209 patent, actively inducing
`
`infringement of the ’209 patent, and contributing to the infringement by others of the ’209
`
`patent, Lilly will suffer irreparable injury. Lilly has no adequate remedy at law.
`
`
`
`WHEREFORE, Lilly requests the following relief:
`
`(a)
`
`A judgment that DRL has infringed the ’209 patent and/or will infringe, actively
`
`induce infringement of, and/or contribute to infringement by others of the ’209 patent;
`
`(b)
`
`A judgment ordering that the effective date of any FDA approval for DRL to
`
`make, use, offer for sale, sell, market, distribute, or import DRL’s NDA Product, or any product
`
`the use of which infringes the ’209 patent, be not earlier than the expiration date of the ’209
`
`patent, inclusive of any extension(s) and additional period(s) of exclusivity;
`
`(c)
`
`A preliminary and permanent injunction enjoining DRL, and all persons acting in
`
`concert with DRL, from making, using, selling, offering for sale, marketing, distributing, or
`
`importing DRL’s NDA Product, or any product the use of which infringes the ’209 patent, or
`
`inducing or contributing to any of the foregoing, prior to the expiration date of the ’209 patent,
`
`11
`
`
`
`Case 1:19-cv-01246-JMS-MJD Document 1 Filed 03/27/19 Page 12 of 13 PageID #: 12
`
`inclusive of any extension(s) and additional period(s) of exclusivity;
`
`(d)
`
`A judgment declaring that making, using, selling, offering for sale, marketing,
`
`distributing, or importing of DRL’s NDA Product, or any product the use of which infringes the
`
`’209 patent, prior to the expiration date of the ’209 patent, infringes, will infringe, will actively
`
`induce infringement of, and/or will contribute to the infringement by others of the ’209 patent;
`
`(e)
`
`A declaration that this is an exceptional case and an award of attorneys’ fees
`
`pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 285;
`
`(f)
`
`An award of Lilly’s costs and expenses in this action; and
`
`(g)
`
`Such further and other relief as this Court may deem just and proper.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`12
`
`
`
`Case 1:19-cv-01246-JMS-MJD Document 1 Filed 03/27/19 Page 13 of 13 PageID #: 13
`
`Dated: March 27, 2019
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`/s/Deborah Pollack-Milgate
`Deborah Pollack-Milgate, No. 22475-49
`BARNES & THORNBURG LLP
`11 South Meridian Street
`Indianapolis, IN 46204
`(317) 236-1313
`dpollackmilgate@btlaw.com
`
`Adam L. Perlman
`Dov P. Grossman
`David M. Krinsky
`Galina I. Fomenkova
`Andrew P. Lemens
`WILLIAMS & CONNOLLY LLP
`725 Twelfth Street, N.W.
`Washington, DC 20005
`(202) 434-5000
`aperlman@wc.com
`dgrossman@wc.com
`dkrinsky@wc.com
`gfomenkova@wc.com
`alemens@wc.com
`
`Attorneys for Plaintiff Eli Lilly and Company
`
`
`13
`
`