Sanofi-aventis loses Lovenox patent case

LONDON, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Sanofi-aventis said Friday it has lost its U.S. patent lawsuit on its blood-thinning drug Lovenox.

A California court has held in favor of two generic drug makers, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, which have filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval to sell generic versions of the widely prescribed drug.

However, Sanofi-aventis -- the world's third-largest drug company -- said it is mulling its legal options on the heels of the court's ruling and that it would continue to defend its Lovenox patent rights.

The U.S. patent on the drug is set to expire in 2012. Worldwide sales of Lovenox are estimated at more than $2 billion annually.