Janssen Announces Intent Not to Enforce Patents for Darunavir in Resource-Limited Settings

Janssen Announces Intent Not to Enforce Patents for Darunavir in Resource-Limited Settings PR Newswire RARITAN, New Jersey, Nov. 29, 2012 - Policy Aims to Support a Sustainable Supply of Medically Acceptable Generic Darunavir in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) RARITAN, New Jersey, Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson today announced their intention not to enforce the patents they own and control on the antiretroviral (ARV) drug darunavir provided the darunavir product is medically acceptable and is used only in resource-limited settings.(1) This announcement is intended to assure generic manufacturers that they may manufacture high quality darunavir product used in SSA and the LDCs without a concern that Janssen will accuse these activities of infringing its darunavir patents. This new policy anticipates a greater future need to supply affordable generic versions of darunavir (brand name PREZISTA®) for the treatment of people living with HIV in the territory, and is consistent with the Company's focus on access to medicines in those countries with the highest rates of HIV infection and economic vulnerability.