Zealand clarifies its role in US patent litigation relating to lixisenatide and confirms its confidence in a strong patent status for the product

Copenhagen, Feb. 4, 2016 -- In response to market speculation about patent litigation in the US relating to lixisenatide, Zealand informs that it is not a party to the US proceedings. Zealand is aware of the patent litigation and other invalidity proceedings before the US Patent and Trademark Office, which are pending between Sanofi and AstraZeneca, and is keeping informed of their status and monitoring developments closely.      

With regard to the potential consequences for Zealand of this ongoing litigation, the company confirms its confidence that the practice by Sanofi of the rights licensed to it by Zealand does not infringe AstraZeneca patents that are valid and enforceable. In light of the strong intellectual property position of lixisenatide in the US and elsewhere, Zealand does not expect that the pending proceedings will affect the company or its outlook.