throbber
EXELA PHARMA SCIENCES, LLC,
`
`
`
`v.
`
`ETON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`Defendant.
`
`
`ETON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.’S ANSWER
`AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES TO AMENDED COMPLAINT
`
`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 1 of 29 PageID #: 598
`
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
`
`
`C.A. No. 20-365-MN
`
`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
`
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`
`
`Defendant Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Eton”), by and through its attorneys, hereby
`
`provides the following Answer and Affirmative Defenses to the Amended Complaint filed by
`
`Plaintiff Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC (“Plaintiff”) on July 28, 2020. Unless otherwise specifically
`
`admitted below, Eton denies all allegations in Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint. See Fed. R. Civ. P.
`
`8(b)(3).
`
`
`1.
`
`NATURE OF ACTION
`
`Eton admits that Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint purports to bring an action for
`
`infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 10,478,453 (“’453 Patent”), 10,583,155 (“’155 Patent”), and
`
`10,653,719 (“’719 patent”) (collectively, “Patents-in-Suit”) and that this action purports to arise
`
`under the Patent Laws of the United States, 35 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., and the Declaratory Judgment
`
`Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201 and 2202. The remainder of Paragraph 1 is proffered as a legal conclusion
`
`to which no response is required. To the extent a response is required, Eton denies the remaining
`
`allegations of Paragraph 1.
`
`
`
`
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`1 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 2 of 29 PageID #: 599
`
`
`
`
`2.
`
`THE PARTIES
`
`Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of Paragraph 2 and therefore denies the same.
`
`3.
`
`Eton admits that it is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
`
`State of Delaware, with a principal place of business at 21925 West Field Parkway, Suite 235,
`
`Deer Park, IL 60010.
`
`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
`
`Paragraph 4 contains legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the
`
`
`4.
`
`extent a response is required, Eton does not contest subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s
`
`allegations against Eton under 35 U.S.C. § 271(e)(2) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a)
`
`for purposes of this action only. Eton denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 4.
`
`5.
`
`Paragraph 5 contains legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the
`
`extent a response is required, Eton does not contest personal jurisdiction for purposes of this action
`
`only and expressly reserves the right to contest personal jurisdiction in any other case as to any
`
`party, including Plaintiff. Eton also admits that “COGENCY GLOBAL INC., 850 NEW
`
`BURTON ROAD SUITE 201, DOVER, DE, 19904” is provided under the “REGISTERED
`
`AGENT INFORMATION” section of the State of Delaware’s Division of Corporations website
`
`as Eton’s registered agent in Delaware and is authorized to accept service on Eton’s behalf. Eton
`
`denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 5.
`
`6.
`
`Paragraph 6 contains legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the
`
`extent a response is required, Eton does not contest venue for purposes of this action only and
`
`expressly reserves the right to contest venue in any other case as to any party, including Plaintiff.
`
`
`
`
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`2
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`2 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 3 of 29 PageID #: 600
`
`
`
`
`A.
`
`
`7.
`
`FACTUAL BACKGROUND
`
`The Development and FDA Approval of Exela’s ELCYS® L-Cysteine
`Product
`
`Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of Paragraph 7 and therefore denies the same.
`
`8.
`
`Eton admits that L-cysteine is an amino acid that can be naturally synthesized in
`
`small amounts by humans, and that it may be provided as an L-Cysteine Hydrochloride Injection
`
`solution which, after combination with an Amino Acid Injection solution, is administered
`
`parenterally to meet the amino acid requirements of patients receiving total parenteral nutrition
`
`(“TPN”). Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the remaining
`
`allegations of Paragraph 8 and therefore denies the same.
`
`9.
`
`Eton is without knowledge as to the timeframe during which Exela began
`
`developing its L-cysteine product, and therefore, it lacks sufficient knowledge to admit or deny
`
`that there was no FDA-approved intravenous L-cysteine hydrochloride product on the market in
`
`the United States at that time. Eton notes, however, that, in the 1980s, FDA approved a L-
`
`cysteine hydrochloride product (“Hospira L-cysteine product”). And, that no later than 2010,
`
`Sandoz Inc. offered an L-cysteine hydrochloride product (“Sandoz L-cysteine product”) in the
`
`United States market. Eton admits that aluminum is a known toxic impurity in parenteral
`
`nutritional compositions but denies that all L-cysteine products were known to contain high
`
`amounts of aluminum prior to the effective date of Exela’s purported invention. For example,
`
`the Sandoz L-cysteine product contained low levels of aluminum. Eton lacks sufficient
`
`knowledge and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 9 and
`
`therefore denies the same.
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`3
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`3 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 4 of 29 PageID #: 601
`
`
`
`10.
`
`Eton admits that the literature known to the pharmaceutical industry identifies
`
`various health problems associated with aluminum toxicity. Eton denies that all TPN
`
`admixtures, including those without L-cysteine, necessarily had high levels of aluminum. Eton
`
`lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of
`
`Paragraph 10 and therefore denies the same.
`
`11.
`
`Eton admits that the FDA amended the labeling requirements for parenteral drug
`
`products, that these amendments were codified at 21 C.F.R. § 201.323, and that Paragraph 11
`
`includes a portion of the warning required by the FDA. Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and
`
`information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 11 and therefore denies
`
`the same.
`
`12.
`
`Upon information and belief, Eton admits that Exela secured FDA approval in
`
`April 2019, for an injectable L-cysteine hydrochloride product. Eton denies that the product
`
`fulfilled a long-felt need for a low-aluminum injectable cysteine product. Eton lacks sufficient
`
`knowledge and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 12 and
`
`therefore denies the same.
`
`13.
`
`Eton admits that the Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence
`
`Evaluations (an FDA publication commonly known as the “Orange Book”) identifies EXELA
`
`PHARMA SCIENCES LLC as the purported “Applicant Holder” for NDA 210660, purportedly
`
`for a solution containing CYSTEINE HYDROCHLORIDE as the “Active Ingredient,” and
`
`identifies ELCYS as the “Proprietary Name” for this product. Eton lacks sufficient knowledge
`
`and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 13 and therefore
`
`denies the same.
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`4
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`4 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 5 of 29 PageID #: 602
`
`
`
`14.
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit B purports to be a copy of ELCYS’s “HIGHLIGHTS OF
`
`PRESCRIBING INFORMATION,” revised 04/2019, and states in “11 DESCRIPTION,” that
`
`“ELCYS contains no more than 120 mcg/L of aluminum,” but denies that the label includes the
`
`language “throughout the shelf life of the product.” Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and
`
`information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 14 and therefore denies
`
`the same.
`
`15.
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit B purports to be a copy of ELCYS’s “HIGHLIGHTS OF
`
`PRESCRIBING INFORMATION,” revised 04/2019, and states in “11 DESCRIPTION,” that
`
`“ELCYS (cysteine hydrochloride injection) is a sterile, nonpyrogenic solution for intravenous
`
`use,” that “[e]ach 10 mL of ELCYS contains 500 mg of cysteine hydrochloride, USP (equivalent
`
`to 345 mg of cysteine) in water for injection,” and that “[t]he chemical name of cysteine
`
`hydrochloride is L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate.” Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and
`
`information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 15 and therefore denies
`
`the same.
`
`16.
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit B purports to be a copy of ELCYS’s “HIGHLIGHTS OF
`
`PRESCRIBING INFORMATION,” revised 04/2019, and states in “11 DESCRIPTION,” that
`
`“[t]he pH range is 1.0 to 2.5.” Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief
`
`as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 16 and therefore denies the same.
`
`17.
`
`Eton admits that pyruvic acid and cystine were known oxidative degradation
`
`products of L-cysteine. Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to
`
`the remaining allegations of Paragraph 17 and therefore denies the same.
`
`18.
`
`Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of Paragraph 18 and therefore denies the same.
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`5
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`5 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 6 of 29 PageID #: 603
`
`
`
`19.
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit B purports to be a copy of ELCYS’s “HIGHLIGHTS OF
`
`PRESCRIBING INFORMATION,” revised 04/2019, and states in “1 INDICATIONS AND
`
`USAGE,” that “ELCYS is indicated for use as an additive to amino acid solutions to meet the
`
`nutritional requirements of newborn infants requiring total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and of
`
`adult and pediatric patients with severe liver disease who may have impaired enzymatic
`
`processes and require TPN” and that ELCYS “can also be added to amino acid solutions to
`
`provide a more complete profile of amino acids for protein synthesis.” Eton lacks sufficient
`
`knowledge and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 19 and
`
`therefore denies the same.
`
`20.
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit B purports to be a copy of ELCYS’s “HIGHLIGHTS OF
`
`PRESCRIBING INFORMATION,” revised 04/2019, and includes, in “2 DOSAGE AND
`
`ADMINISTRATION,” the following sections: “2.1 Important Administration Information”; “2.2
`
`Preparation and Administration Instructions”; “2.3 Preparation Instructions for Admixing Using
`
`a Parenteral Nutrition (PN) Container”; “2.4 Dosing Considerations”; and “2.5 Recommended
`
`Dosage in Pediatric Patients and Adults.” In “2.1 Important Administration Information,”
`
`Exhibit B provides that (1) “ELCYS is for admixing use only”; (2) ELCYS “is not for direct
`
`intravenous infusion”; and (3) “Prior to administration, ELCYS must be diluted and used as an
`
`admixture in parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions.” (emphases in original.) Eton lacks sufficient
`
`knowledge and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 20 and
`
`therefore denies the same.
`
`21.
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit B purports to be a copy of ELCYS’s “HIGHLIGHTS OF
`
`PRESCRIBING INFORMATION,” revised 04/2019, and that, in “2.3 Preparation Instructions
`
`for Admixing Using a Parenteral Nutrition (PN) Container,” states “Remove ELCYS vial from
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`6
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`6 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 7 of 29 PageID #: 604
`
`
`
`the carton and inspect for particulate matter.” Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information
`
`to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 21 and therefore denies the same.
`
`22.
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit B purports to be a copy of ELCYS’s “HIGHLIGHTS OF
`
`PRESCRIBING INFORMATION,” revised 04/2019, and that, in “2.2 Preparation and
`
`Administration Instructions,” states “Visually inspect the diluted PN solution containing ELCYS
`
`for particular matter before admixing, after admixing, and prior to administration. The solution
`
`should be clear and there should be no precipitates.” Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and
`
`information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 22 and therefore denies
`
`the same.
`
`23.
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit B purports to be a copy of ELCYS’s “HIGHLIGHTS OF
`
`PRESCRIBING INFORMATION,” revised 04/2019, and that, in “2.5 Recommended Dosage in
`
`Pediatric Patients and Adults,” provides a table labeled “Table 1. Recommended Daily Dosage
`
`of ELCYS in Pediatric Patients and Adults,” with the following age groups: “Preterm and term
`
`infants less than 1 month of age”; “Pediatric patients 1 month to less than 1 year of age”;
`
`“Pediatric patients 1 year to 11 years of age”; “Pediatric patients 12 years to 17 year of age”;
`
`“Adults: Stable Patients”; and “Adults: Critically Ill Patients.” Eton lacks sufficient knowledge
`
`and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 23 and therefore
`
`denies the same.
`
`24.
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit B purports to be a copy of ELCYS’s “HIGHLIGHTS OF
`
`PRESCRIBING INFORMATION,” revised 04/2019, and that, in “2.4 Dosing Considerations,”
`
`provides that “[t]he dosage of the final PN solution containing ELCYS must be based on the
`
`concentrations of all components in the solution and the recommended nutritional requirements
`
`[see Dosage and Administration (2.5)].” (emphasis in original.) Eton lacks sufficient knowledge
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`7
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`7 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 8 of 29 PageID #: 605
`
`
`
`and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 24 and therefore
`
`denies the same.
`
`25.
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit B purports to be a copy of ELCYS’s “HIGHLIGHTS OF
`
`PRESCRIBING INFORMATION,” revised 04/2019, and includes, in “5 WARNINGS AND
`
`PRECAUTIONS,” several sections, including “5.7 Aluminum Toxicity,” which states the
`
`following:
`
`ELCYS contains aluminum that may be toxic.
`
`Aluminum may reach toxic levels with prolonged parenteral administration in patients
`with renal impairment. Preterm infants are particularly at risk for aluminum toxicity
`because their kidneys are immature, and they require large amounts of calcium and
`phosphate solutions, which also contain aluminum.
`
`Patients with renal impairment, including preterm infants, who receive greater than 4 to 5
`mcg/kg/day of parenteral aluminum can accumulate aluminum to levels associated with
`central nervous system and bone toxicity. Tissue loading may occur at even lower rates
`of administration.
`
`Exposure to aluminum from ELCYS is not more than 0.21 mcg/kg/day when preterm and
`term infants less than 1 month of age are administered the recommended maximum
`dosage of ELCYS (15 mg cysteine/g of amino acids and 4 g of amino acids/kg/day) [see
`Table 1, Dosage and Administration (2.5)]. When prescribing ELCYS for use in PN
`containing other small volume parenteral products, the total daily patient exposure to
`aluminum from the admixture should be considered and maintained at no more than 5
`mcg/kg/day [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
`
`(emphases in original.) Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to
`
`the remaining allegations of Paragraph 25 and therefore denies the same.
`
`
`
`B.
`
`26.
`
`The Asserted ’453 Patent
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit C purports to be a copy of the ’453 Patent and that, on its
`
`face, Exhibit C is entitled, “Stable, Highly Pure L-Cysteine Compositions for Injection and
`
`Methods of Use.” Eton also admits that Exhibit C, on its face, indicates that the “Date of Patent”
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`8
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`8 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 9 of 29 PageID #: 606
`
`
`
`is “Nov. 19, 2019” and that the named “Inventors” are John Maloney, Aruna Koganti, and
`
`Phanesh Koneru. Eton denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 26.
`
`27.
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit C indicates on its face that “Exela Pharma Sciences,
`
`LLC, Lenoir, NC (US)” is the “Assignee” of the ’453 Patent. Eton lacks sufficient knowledge
`
`and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 27 and therefore
`
`denies the same.
`
`28.
`
`Eton admits that the ’453 Patent is listed in the Orange Book for NDA 210660
`
`and that “11/19/2019” is identified as the “Submission Date” for the ’453 Patent. Eton lacks
`
`sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of
`
`Paragraph 28 and therefore denies the same.
`
`29.
`
`Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of Paragraph 29 and therefore denies the same.
`
`30.
`
`31.
`
`32.
`
`33.
`
`Admitted.
`
`Admitted.
`
`Admitted.
`
`Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of Paragraph 33 and therefore denies the same.
`
`
`
`C.
`
`34.
`
`The Asserted ’155 Patent
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit D purports to be a copy of the ’155 Patent and that, on its
`
`face, Exhibit D is entitled, “Stable, Highly Pure L-Cysteine Compositions for Injection and
`
`Methods of Use.” Eton also admits that Exhibit D, on its face, indicates that the “Date of Patent”
`
`is “*Mar. 10, 2020” and that the named “Inventors” are John Maloney, Aruna Koganti, and
`
`Phanesh Koneru. Eton denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 34.
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`9
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`9 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 10 of 29 PageID #: 607
`
`
`
`35.
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit D indicates on its face that “Exela Pharma Sciences,
`
`LLC, Lenoir, NC (US)” is the “Assignee” of the ’155 Patent. Eton lacks sufficient knowledge
`
`and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 35 and therefore
`
`denies the same.
`
`36.
`
`Eton admits that the ’155 Patent is listed in the Orange Book NDA 210660 and
`
`that “03/10/2020” is identified as the “Submission Date” for the ’155 Patent. Eton lacks
`
`sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of
`
`Paragraph 36 and therefore denies the same.
`
`37.
`
`Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of Paragraph 37 and therefore denies the same.
`
`38.
`
`39.
`
`40.
`
`41.
`
`Admitted.
`
`Admitted.
`
`Admitted.
`
`Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of Paragraph 41 and therefore denies the same.
`
`
`
`D.
`
`42.
`
`The Asserted ’719 Patent
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit E purports to be a copy of the ’719 Patent and that, on its
`
`face, Exhibit E is entitled, “Stable, Highly Pure L-Cysteine Compositions for Injection and
`
`Methods of Use.” Eton also admits that Exhibit E, on its face, indicates that the “Date of Patent”
`
`is “*May 19, 2020” and that the named “Inventors” are John Maloney, Aruna Koganti, and
`
`Phanesh Koneru. Eton denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 42.
`
`43.
`
`Eton admits that Exhibit E indicates on its face that “Exela Pharma Sciences,
`
`LLC, Lenoir, NC (US)” is the “Assignee” of the ’719 Patent. Eton lacks sufficient knowledge
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`10
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`10 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 11 of 29 PageID #: 608
`
`
`
`and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 43 and therefore
`
`denies the same.
`
`44.
`
`Eton admits that the ’719 Patent is listed in the Orange Book NDA 210660 and
`
`that “07/02/2020” is identified as the “Submission Date” for the ’719 Patent. Eton lacks
`
`sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of
`
`Paragraph 44 and therefore denies the same.
`
`45.
`
`Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of Paragraph 45 and therefore denies the same.
`
`46.
`
`47.
`
`48.
`
`49.
`
`50.
`
`Admitted.
`
`Admitted.
`
`Admitted.
`
`Admitted.
`
`Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of Paragraph 50 and therefore denies the same.
`
`ALLEGED ACTS GIVING RISE TO THIS ACTION FOR DEFENDANT’S ALLEGED
`INFRINGEMENT OF THE PATENTS-IN-SUIT
`
`Eton admits that a letter dated January 31, 2020 (“Notice Letter”) was sent on its
`
`51.
`
`behalf by Jeffrey Wolfson of the law firm of Haynes and Boone, LLP to Plaintiff, providing
`
`written notification pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 355(j)(2)(B) that Eton filed Abbreviated New Drug
`
`Application (“ANDA”) 214082 to the FDA and that ANDA 214082 contains a Paragraph IV
`
`Certification for the ’453 Patent. Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a
`
`belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 51 and therefore denies the same.
`
`52.
`
`Eton admits that the Notice Letter provided written notification pursuant to 21
`
`U.S.C. § 355(j)(2)(B) that Eton filed ANDA 214082 to the FDA and that ANDA 214082
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`11
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`11 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 12 of 29 PageID #: 609
`
`
`
`contains a Paragraph IV Certification for the ’453 Patent. Eton also admits that it is seeking
`
`FDA approval for the commercial manufacture, use, or sale of Eton’s Cysteine Hydrochloride
`
`Injection, USP, 50 mg/mL, 10 mL Fill, Single Dose Vial (“Eton’s ANDA Product”) before the
`
`expiration of the ’453 Patent. Eton denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 52.
`
`53.
`
`Paragraph 53 contains legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the
`
`extent a response is required, Eton admits that Plaintiff’s Complaint was filed on March 16,
`
`2020, and Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint was filed on July 28, 2020. Eton lacks sufficient
`
`knowledge and information to form a belief as to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 53 and
`
`therefore denies the same.
`
`54.
`
`Eton admits that the reference listed drug that is the basis for ANDA 214082 is
`
`ELCYS® (Cysteine Hydrochloride) Injection, USP, 50 mg/mL. Eton also admits the electronic
`
`version of the Orange Book identifies EXELA PHARMA SCIENCES LLC as the purported
`
`“Applicant Holder” for NDA 210660, purportedly for a solution containing CYSTEINE
`
`HYDROCHLORIDE as the “Active Ingredient,” and identifies ELCYS as the “Proprietary
`
`Name” and “Apr 16, 2019” as the “Approval Date” for this product. Eton denies the remaining
`
`allegations of Paragraph 54.
`
`55.
`
`Eton admits that the Notice Letter to Plaintiff, providing written notification
`
`pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 355(j)(2)(B) that Eton filed ANDA 214082 to the FDA and that ANDA
`
`214082 contains Paragraph IV Certifications for the ’453 Patent and that Eton’s ANDA includes
`
`any required bioavailability and bioequivalence data. Eton denies the remaining allegations of
`
`Paragraph 55.
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`12
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`12 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 13 of 29 PageID #: 610
`
`
`
`56.
`
`Eton admits that it is seeking FDA approval for the commercial manufacture, use,
`
`or sale of Eton’s ANDA Product before the expiration of the ’453 Patent. Eton denies the
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 56.
`
`57.
`
`Eton admits that Eton’s Notice Letter includes a statement of the factual and legal
`
`bases of its Paragraph IV Certification that the ’453 Patent is invalid, unenforceable, and/or will
`
`not be infringed by the manufacture, use, or sale of Eton’s ANDA Product before the expiration
`
`of the ’453 Patent. Eton denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 57, and avers that the
`
`asserted claims are not infringed and/or invalid for additional reasons.
`
`58.
`
`Eton admits that Eton’s Notice Letter includes a statement of the factual and legal
`
`bases of its Paragraph IV Certification that the ’453 Patent is invalid, unenforceable, and/or will
`
`not be infringed by the manufacture, use, or sale of Eton’s ANDA Product before the expiration
`
`of the ’453 Patent, including bases for alleging claims 1-21 are not infringed and claim 22 is
`
`invalid. Eton denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 58, and avers that the asserted
`
`claims are not infringed and/or invalid for additional reasons.
`
`59.
`
`Eton admits that Eton’s Notice Letter includes a statement of the factual and legal
`
`bases of its Paragraph IV Certification that the ’453 Patent is invalid, unenforceable, and/or will
`
`not be infringed by the manufacture, use, or sale of Eton’s ANDA Product before the expiration
`
`of the ’453 Patent. Eton denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 59, and avers that the
`
`asserted claims are not infringed and/or invalid for additional reasons.
`
`60.
`
`61.
`
`Eton admits that Eton’s Notice Letter was not marked as confidential.
`
`Eton admits that Eton’s Notice Letter included an Offer of Confidential Access
`
`(“OCA”) to ANDA 214082, and that, to date, the parties have not reached an agreement
`
`regarding the OCA. Eton further avers that the terms of Eton’s OCA are no more restrictive than
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`13
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`13 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 14 of 29 PageID #: 611
`
`
`
`those typically found in a Protective Order, and, based upon information and belief, the terms in
`
`Eton’s OCA are similar to those proposed by Exela when similarly situated as Eton. Eton denies
`
`the remaining allegations of Paragraph 61.
`
`62.
`
`Eton admits that the parties have attempted to reach an agreement on an OCA,
`
`and that, to date, the parties have not reached an agreement regarding the OCA. Eton denies the
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 62.
`
`63.
`
`Paragraph 63 contains legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the
`
`extent a response is required, Eton admits that the FDA has not yet approved Eton’s ANDA
`
`Product. Eton denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 63.
`
`64.
`
`Eton admits that, to date, the parties have not reached an agreement regarding the
`
`OCA and, therefore, Eton has not produced a complete copy of ANDA No. 214082. Eton denies
`
`the remaining allegations of Paragraph 64.
`
`65.
`
`Eton admits that a letter dated May 6, 2020 (“Second Notice Letter”) was sent on
`
`its behalf by Jeffrey Wolfson of the law firm Haynes and Boone, LLP to Plaintiff, providing
`
`written notification pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 355(j)(2)(B) that Eton’s ANDA 214082 contains a
`
`Paragraph IV certification for the ’155 Patent and that Eton’s ANDA includes any required
`
`bioavailability and bioequivalence data. Eton further admits that Eton’s Second Notice Letter
`
`includes a statement of the factual and legal bases of its Paragraph IV Certification that the ’155
`
`Patent is invalid, unenforceable, and/or will not be infringed by the manufacture, use, or sale of
`
`Eton’s ANDA Product before the expiration of the ’155 Patent. Eton denies the remaining
`
`allegations of Paragraph 65.
`
`66.
`
`Eton admits that it filed ANDA 214082 to seek FDA approval to market Eton’s
`
`ANDA Product. Eton denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 66.
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`14
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`14 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 15 of 29 PageID #: 612
`
`
`
`67.
`
`Eton admits that it filed ANDA 214082 to seek FDA approval to market Eton’s
`
`ANDA Product. Eton denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 67.
`
`68.
`
`Paragraph 68 contains legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the
`
`extent a response is required, Eton admits that there is a justiciable controversy between the
`
`parties with respect to whether the act of filing ANDA No. 214082 constitutes an act of
`
`infringement with respect to the’453, ’155, and ’719 Patents, but denies that it has engaged in
`
`any acts of infringement and denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 68.
`
`69.
`
`Eton admits that ANDA 214082 contains labeling as required by applicable FDA
`
`statutes and regulations and states that the proposed labeling speaks for itself. Eton denies the
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 69.
`
`70.
`
`Eton admits that ANDA 214082 contains labeling as required by applicable FDA
`
`statutes and regulations and states that the proposed labeling speaks for itself. Eton denies the
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 70.
`
`71.
`
`Eton admits that ANDA 214082 contains labeling as required by applicable FDA
`
`statutes and regulations and states that the proposed labeling speaks for itself. Eton denies the
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 71.
`
`72.
`
`Eton admits that ANDA 214082 contains labeling as required by applicable FDA
`
`statutes and regulations and states that the proposed labeling speaks for itself. Eton denies the
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 72.
`
`73.
`
`Eton admits that ANDA 214082 contains labeling as required by applicable FDA
`
`statutes and regulations and states that the proposed labeling speaks for itself. Eton denies the
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 73.
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`15
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`15 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 16 of 29 PageID #: 613
`
`
`
`74.
`
`Paragraph 74 contains legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the
`
`extent a response is required, Eton admits that the subject of Eton’s ANDA 214082 is an L-
`
`Cysteine Hydrochloride Injection Product for injection containing 500 mg/10 mL (50 mg/mL).
`
`Eton denies the remaining allegations of Paragraph 74.
`
`75.
`
`Paragraph 75 contains legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the
`
`extent a response is required, Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as
`
`to the allegations of Paragraph 75 and therefore denies the same.
`
`76.
`
`Paragraph 76 contains legal conclusions to which no response is required. Eton
`
`admits that the product that is the subject of Eton’s ANDA 214082, meets any applicable
`
`stability requirements required by applicable FDA statutes and regulations. Eton denies the
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 76.
`
`77.
`
`Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of Paragraph 77 and therefore denies the same.
`
`78.
`
`Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as to the
`
`allegations of Paragraph 78 and therefore denies the same.
`
`79.
`
`Eton admits that ANDA 214082 contains labeling as required by applicable FDA
`
`statutes and regulations and states that the proposed labeling speaks for itself. Eton denies the
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 79.
`
`80.
`
`Paragraph 80 contains legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the
`
`extent a response is required, Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as
`
`to the allegations of Paragraph 80 and therefore denies the same.
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`16
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`16 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 17 of 29 PageID #: 614
`
`
`
`81.
`
`Paragraph 81 contains legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the
`
`extent a response is required, Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as
`
`to the allegations of Paragraph 81 and therefore denies the same.
`
`82.
`
`Paragraph 82 contains legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the
`
`extent a response is required, Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as
`
`to the allegations of Paragraph 82 and therefore denies the same.
`
`83.
`
`Paragraph 83 contains legal conclusions to which no response is required. To the
`
`extent a response is required, Eton lacks sufficient knowledge and information to form a belief as
`
`to the allegations of Paragraph 83 and therefore denies the same.
`
`84.
`
`Eton admits that ANDA 214082 contains labeling as required by applicable FDA
`
`statutes and regulations and states that the proposed labeling speaks for itself. Eton denies the
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 84.
`
`85.
`
`Eton admits that ANDA 214082 contains labeling as required by applicable FDA
`
`statutes and regulations and states that the proposed labeling speaks for itself. Eton denies the
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 85.
`
`86.
`
`Eton admits that ANDA 214082 contains labeling as required by applicable FDA
`
`statutes and regulations and states that the proposed labeling speaks for itself. Eton denies the
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 86.
`
`87.
`
`Eton admits that ANDA 214082 contains labeling as required by applicable FDA
`
`statutes and regulations and states that the proposed labeling speaks for itself. Eton denies the
`
`remaining allegations of Paragraph 87.
`
`RLF1 23854550v.1
`
`17
`
`Eton Ex. 1077
`17 of 29
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00365-MN Document 20 Filed 08/11/20 Page 18 of 29 PageID #: 615
`
`
`
`88.
`
`Eton admit

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket