Canadian healthcare company Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc (TSX:NRI) (OTCQX:NRIFF) said on Wednesday that Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Inc (DRL) has launched its generic version of Vimovo in the United States.

The market launch of DRL's generic version of Vimovo is reportedly "at risk" as Nuvo Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) DAC (Nuvo Ireland) continues to hold valid US Patent Nos. 8,858,996 and 9,161,920 (the '996 and '920 patents) covering Vimovo in the US market.

Currently, the '996 and '920 patents are the subject of patent infringement litigation against DRL. The companies have mutually agreed on a pretrial litigation schedule with the court extending through to mid-2021. The term of the '996 and '920 patents extends to 31 May 2022.

Following the launch of the generic version of Vimovo in the US, Nuvo Ireland's USD7.5m annual minimum royalty from its partner has ceased. However, the launch of generic Vimovo in the US does not impact Nuvo Ireland's global Vimovo business in markets outside of the US. Nuvo Ireland will continue to receive royalty payments from its global partner, Grunenthal GmbH, on global net sales of Vimovo.