IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
BIOVAIL CORPORATION, )
)
and )
)
BIOVAIL LABORATORIES )
INTERNATIONAL, SRL, )
)
Plaintiffs, )
)
v. ) Civ. No. 06-1487 (RMU)
)
UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG )
ADMINISTRATION, )
)
and )
)
ANDREW C. VON ESCHENBACH, M.D., )
in his official capacity as )
COMMISSIONER OF FOOD AND )
DRUGS, )
)
Defendants, )
)
and )
)
ANCHEN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., )
)
Intervenor. )
GOVERNMENT'S OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFFS' SECOND MOTION FOR
A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 1 of 36
1 The term "generic" is not defined in FDA's statute or regulations. It is used here to refer
to drug products for which approval is sought under an abbreviated new drug application.
2 Biovail challenges Anchen's generic version of Wellbutrin XL here because Anchen's
application represents FDA's first approval of an ANDA for this product. Biovail's objection,
however, is a general one relevant to FDA's position regarding the scientific support necessary
for approval of any and all ANDAs for generic versions of Wellbutrin XL. Therefore, the case is
not a challenge to Anchen's ANDA per se but to all similarly situated ANDAs. For ease of
reference, however, our opposition refers to Anchen and its ANDA.
Regarding similarly situated ANDAs, this case is one of two actions that Biovail has filed
against the federal defendants regarding bupropion HCl extended-release tablets. See infra p. 16
n. 21 (describing Biovail's action filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
alleging violations stemming from FDA's approval of Impax Laboratories, Inc.'s (Impax) ANDA
for a generic version of Wellbutrin XL). As described in that action by the intervenors (Impax
and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (Teva)) there, Impax and Teva have launched commercial
marketing of their generic version of Wellbutrin XL. MD Intervenors' Opp. at 9-10. The
marketing of their product was enabled by an agreement they entered into with Anchen, which
has "selectively waived" marketing exclusivity of its product. The details of the agreement are
not relevant to the government's position here. What is relevant is that the commercial
marketing of a generic version of Wellbutrin XL is well underway.
2
INTRODUCTION
At issue in this case is the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA or agency) approval of
generic versions of bupropion hydrochloride (HCl) extended-release tablets, an antidepressant.1
Biovail Corporation manufactures the brand-name version of bupropion HCl extended-release
tablets for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which markets the drug as Wellbutrin XL®. Anchen
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (Anchen) is the first manufacturer of a generic version of Wellbutrin XL.
Biovail is challenging the scientific basis of FDA's approval of abbreviated new drug
applications (ANDAs) for generic versions of Wellbutrin XL. Its challenge is but one is a series
of efforts by Biovail to inappropriately extend the market monopoly of Wellbutrin XL.2 The
agency’s decision to approve ANDAs for generic bupropion HCl extended-release tablets falls
squarely within FDA’s scientific and technical expertise. Therefore, Biovail’s attempt to reverse
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 2 of 36
3 The administrative record in this matter, accompanied by an affidavit and certificate, is
submitted along with this opposition as Attachments 1-13. See Fed. R Civ. P. 44.
3
FDA's decision(s) in order to preserve its own profits, while decreasing the availability of low
cost, reliable, and safe pharmaceuticals, should be rejected.
Biovail argues that FDA has violated the unambiguous statutory requirement that the
generic version of a drug have the same labeling as the brand-name drug. As a result, according
to Biovail, the labeling on generic versions of Wellbutrin XL is inadequate to protect the public
against the risks associated with the use of bupropion HCl extended-release tablets. In Biovail's
view, FDA approved Anchen's product without assuring that it provides the same level of safety
and effectiveness as the brand-name drug. These contentions are not well-grounded in fact or
law and, thus, do not support the relief Biovail seeks.
Although Biovail frames its lawsuit as a challenge involving statutory interpretation,
Biovail's dispute is with the scientific criteria FDA uses to determine whether generic bupropion
HCl extended-release tablets are bioequivalent to Wellbutrin XL – one of the requirements for
approval of a generic version of Wellbutrin XL. To obtain the relief its seeks, Biovail must
establish a substantial likelihood that FDA’s approval of Anchen's product must be set aside – a
burden Biovail has manifestly failed to meet. Biovail offers no plausible justification to refute
FDA’s scientific conclusion that Anchen's application for a generic version of Wellbutrin XL
meets the statutory requirements for approval. The record reflects that FDA engaged in reasoned
decision-making and based its decision to approve generic bupropion HCl extended-release
tablets after a careful, thorough review of the scientific and technical issues. The record provides
clear and compelling grounds to reject Biovail's challenge to FDA's approval of generic
competitors.3
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 3 of 36
4
Because Biovail is not likely to succeed on the merits of its case, it must present a
substantial showing of irreparable harm from the denial of preliminary injunctive relief pending
resolution of this action on the merits. It has not done so. By contrast, every day that the
marketing of generic bupropion HCl extended-release tablets – whose performance FDA has
found to be equivalent to Wellbutrin XL – is delayed, American consumers would be deprived of
less expensive alternatives to the costly brand-name drugs, and FDA’s mandate to approve
generic products that meet the statutory requirements would be hampered. Because the alleged
harm that Biovail will suffer if a preliminary injunction is not granted is less than what the
public, FDA, and any party with an approved or pending ANDA for a generic version of
Wellbutrin XL, will suffer if a preliminary injunction to block the marketing of a generic product
is granted, the balance of harms does not weigh in Biovail's favor.
This case represents another instance in which a manufacturer of a brand-name drug, in
fear of losing its lucrative hold on the market, has attempted to block generic competition by
challenging the scientific basis upon which FDA has approved a generic drug. See Serono
Labs., Inc. v. Shalala, 158 F.3d 1313, 1326 (D.C. Cir. 1998); Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v.
Shalala, 923 F. Supp. 212 (D.D.C. 1996); Fisons Corp. v. Shalala, 860 F. Supp. 859 (D.D.C.
1994); see also Schering Corp. v. FDA, 51 F.3d 390 (3d Cir. 1995); Somerset Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. v. Shalala, 973 F. Supp. 443 (D. Del. 1997). In these cases, such challenges failed, as
should this one. The courts' reviews of FDA's approval decisions have unequivocally held that
scientific determinations as to the appropriate methodology required for approval of a generic
drug fall squarely within the broad discretion of the agency, which Congress has determined is in
the best position to make such highly technical scientific decisions. For the same reason, FDA's
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 4 of 36
4 To compensate innovator drug manufacturers for the costs of demonstrating safety and
effectiveness of new drug products and to encourage new drug research, the Hatch-Waxman
Amendments provide for certain benefits, e.g., exclusive marketing rights, 30-month stays, and
patent term extensions. 21 U.S.C. §§ 355(j)(5)(F), 355(j)(5)(B)(iii); 35 U.S.C. § 156.
5
approval of Anchen's ANDA should be upheld, and Biovail's motion for a preliminary injunction
denied.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
I. STATUTORY AND REGULATORY SCHEME
A. New Drug Applications And Abbreviated New Drug Applications
Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), a pharmaceutical company
seeking to market a "brand-name," "pioneer," or "innovator" drug must first obtain FDA
approval by filing a new drug application (NDA) containing extensive scientific data
demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of the drug. 21 U.S.C. § 355(a), (b). Congress
amended the FDCA through the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of
1984 (known as the "Hatch-Waxman Amendments"), codified at 21 U.S.C. § 355 and 35 U.S.C.
§§ 156, 271, 282, in an effort to increase the availability of lower cost generic versions of
approved brand-name drugs while at the same time encouraging innovation in drug development.
See H.R. Rep. No. 98-857 (Part I), 98th Cong., 2d Sess. at 14-15 (1984), reprinted in 1984
U.S.C.C.A.N. 2647-48; see, e.g., Tri-Bio Labs., Inc. v. United States, 836 F.2d 135, 139 (3d Cir.
1987). The Hatch-Waxman Amendments created Section 505(j) of the FDCA, 21 U.S.C. §
355(j), which permits a manufacturer to seek marketing approval of a generic drug through an
ANDA.4
An ANDA applicant need not submit extensive clinical data to demonstrate the safety
and effectiveness of its product, as is required for an NDA. Rather, under the Hatch-Waxman
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5 "Listed drug" is a drug with an effective approval, which is evidenced by the drug's
listing as such in the Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations 26th
Ed., 2006 (the Orange Book) (available at http://www.fda.gov/cder/orange/obannual.pdf). 21
C.F.R. § 314.3(b). A reference listed drug is "the listed [i.e. approved] drug identified by FDA
as the drug product upon which an applicant relies in seeking approval of its abbreviated
application." 21 C.F.R. § 314.3(b).
6 21 U.S.C. § 355(j)(2)(A)(i)-(iii); 21 C.F.R. § 314.94(a).
7 See 21 U.S.C. § 355(j)(4)(A); 21 C.F.R. § 314.94(a)(9).
8 21 U.S.C. § 355(j)(2)(A)(v); 21 C.F.R. § 314.94(a)(8).
6
Amendments, an ANDA relies on FDA's previous findings that the product approved under the
NDA (the "reference listed drug"5 (RLD)) is safe and effective. The ANDA approval process
"'permits generic drug applications to piggy-back on clinical findings that [the] FDA has already
embraced' in the NDA" and, thus, the ANDA applicant "need not duplicate the clinical safety
studies that supported the pioneer drug's NDA." Zeneca, Inc. v. Shalala, 213 F.3d 161, 164 (4th
Cir. 2000) (quoting In re Barr Laboratories, Inc., 930 F.2d 72, 73 (D.C. Cir. 1991)); Bristol-
Myers Squibb Co. v. Shalala, 91 F.3d 1493, 1495 (D.C. Cir. 1996).
The scientific premise of the Hatch-Waxman Amendments is that a generic drug product
that meets the approval requirements of 21 U.S.C. § 355(j) is as safe and effective as the RLD.
Among other things, an ANDA generally must include information showing that the generic
drug has the same active ingredient, conditions of use, dosage form, strength, and route of
administration as the RLD.6 Moreover, the ANDA must show that "the methods used in, or the
facilities and controls used for, the manufacture, processing, and packing of the drug are
[]adequate to assure and preserve its identity, strength, quality, and purity."7 The law further
requires that the ANDA include information to show that the generic drug's labeling is the same
as the labeling for the RLD (except for certain permissible differences).8 In addition, the ANDA
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 6 of 36
9 21 U.S.C. § 355(j)(2)(A)(iv) (requiring "information to show that the new drug is
bioequivalent to the listed drug"); 21 C.F.R. § 314.94(a)(7) (requiring, as part of ANDA content
and format, information to show that the drug product is bioequivalent to the RLD upon which
the applicant relies); see 21 C.F.R. § 314.127(a)(6)(i) (providing that FDA will refuse to approve
an ANDA if information submitted is insufficient to show that the drug product is bioequivalent
to the listed drug referred to in the ANDA).
10 21 U.S.C. § 355(j)(4); 21 C.F.R. § 314.127(a).
7
must include information showing that the generic drug is "bioequivalent" to the RLD.9 Failure
to satisfy any one of the requirements is grounds for refusal to approve the ANDA.10
B. Bioequivalence And Therapeutic Equivalence
To reiterate, an ANDA applicant must provide information to show that its proposed
generic product is bioequivalent to the RLD. If the generic drug demonstrates bioequivalence to
the RLD, and the generic drug meets the other requirements for ANDA approval described
above, the ANDA may be approved, and the generic drug and the RLD will be considered to be
"therapeutic equivalents." Therapeutically equivalent products can be expected to have the same
clinical effect and safety profile when administered under the conditions specified in the
labeling. A therapeutically equivalent generic product is considered to be interchangeable with
the brand-name drug. Orange Book at vi.
For drugs like bupropion that are absorbed into the bloodstream, a drug is considered to
be bioequivalent to the RLD if "the rate and extent of absorption of the drug do not show a
significant difference from the rate and extent of absorption of the listed drug when administered
at the same molar dose of the therapeutic ingredient . . . ." 21 U.S.C. § 355(j)(8)(B)(i); see
21 C.F.R. §§ 320.1(e), 320.23(b). The purpose of a bioequivalence study of a generic drug is to
show that the bioavailability of the proposed product (i.e., the rate and extent of absorption of the
drug) is not significantly different from the bioavailability of the RLD. FDA regulations discuss
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 7 of 36
11 The regulation setting forth the required content for ANDAs provides examples of
permissible labeling differences:
Labeling . . . proposed for the drug product must be the same as the
labeling approved for the reference listed drug, except for changes
required because of differences approved under a petition filed under
§ 314.93 or because the drug product and the reference listed drug are
produced or distributed by different manufacturers. Such differences
between the applicant's proposed labeling and labeling approved for the
reference listed drug may include differences in expiration date,
formulation, bioavailability, or pharmacokinetics, labeling revisions
made to comply with current FDA labeling guidelines or other guidance,
or omission of an indication or other aspect of labeling protected by
patent or accorded exclusivity under section 505(j)(4)(D) of the act [now
section 505(j)(5)(F)].
21 C.F.R. § 314.94(a)(8)(iv) (emphasis added).
8
the types of evidence (e.g., in vivo and in vitro methods) required to establish bioequivalence.
21 C.F.R. § 320.24.
C. The "Same Labeling" Requirement
The statute provides that an "abbreviated application for a new drug shall contain . . . (v)
information to show that the labeling proposed for the new drug is the same as the labeling
approved for the listed drug . . . except for changes required . . . because the new drug and the
listed drug are produced or distributed by different manufacturers." 21 U.S.C.
§§ 355(j)(2)(A)(v), 355(j)(4)(G); 21 C.F.R. §§ 314.127(a)(7), 314.94(a)(8)(iv).11
The labeling for an innovator drug generally includes, among other things, information
on clinical and preclinical studies conducted on the innovator product. 21 C.F.R. §§ 201.56,
201.57. Because the generic drug is required to have the same labeling as the RLD, the generic
drug's labeling generally contains the same substantive study descriptions, summaries of data,
findings, and conclusions as the labeling for the RLD. As a result – and also because the ANDA
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 8 of 36
12 When a generic drug's labeling describes those scientific studies, the drug product
studied may be identified by its established (chemical) name, rather than its brand-name.
Replacing the RLD's brand name with the drug's established name – e.g., replacing Wellbutrin
XL with bupropion HCl extended-release tablets – is a permissible difference in generic drug
labeling. See 21 C.F.R. § 314.94(a)(8).
9
applicant relies on FDA's previous findings for the innovator drug – the generic drug's labeling
will include information on scientific studies that were conducted on the RLD.12 Cf. SmithKline
Beecham Consumer Healthcare, L.P. v. Watson Pharm., Inc., 211 F.3d 21, 26 (2d Cir. 2000)
(noting that the Hatch-Waxman Amendments reflect the view that clinical retesting of generic
drugs is "unnecessary and wasteful . . . as well as unethical") (internal quotations omitted); see
also id. at 25 (holding that the Hatch-Waxman Amendments require generic drugs to use the
same labeling as the innovator drug even if that labeling has been copyrighted).
II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
A. NDA For Wellbutrin XL
On August 28, 2003, Wellbutrin XL was approved as an extended-release formulation
under NDA 21-515 and is available in 150- and 300-mg tablets for once-daily administration.
Wellbutrin XL is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder and for the prevention
of seasonal major depressive episodes in patients with a diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder.
FDA's approval of the NDA for Wellbutrin XL was based in part on what Biovail refers
to as bioequivalence studies, which have a purpose different from the bioequivalence studies that
are conducted for generic drug approval. The types of studies to which Biovail refers are
informally called "line extensions" because they are done to support certain changes in a drug
product, e.g., formulation changes, that result in a "line" of products. The Wellbutrin XL
labeling reflects the findings from line extension studies – a showing of bioequivalence between
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 9 of 36
13 Wellbutrin was first approved as an immediate-release tablet (for dosing three times a
day) on December 30, 1985, (NDA 18-644) and was subsequently approved in a sustained-
release formulation (for dosing twice a day) on October 4, 1996 (NDA 20-358). Although
Wellbutrin SR is categorized as a type of extended-release product, it is clearly distinct from
Wellbutrin XL. For clarity, the term "extended-release" will not be used in this brief to refer to
the sustained-release formulation. When referring specifically to a sustained-release
formulation, we will use the term "sustained-release."
14 On December 21, 2004, Biovail instituted legal proceedings for patent infringement
and has appealed its loss on summary judgment. Biovail Labs., Inc., v. Anchen Pharm., Inc., No.
06-1641, Fed. Cir. (appeal docketed Sept. 25, 2006).
15 On December 15, 2006, Impax received approval for its ANDA for a generic version of
Wellbutrin XL.
10
Wellbutrin XL and the other product formulations, i.e., the sustained-release (Wellbutrin SR)
and immediate-release (Wellbutrin IR) formulations.13 See Pls. Mem. at 8-9.
B. Anchen's ANDA For A Generic Version Of Wellbutrin XL
Anchen submitted ANDA 77-284 for a generic version of Wellbutrin XL on September
21, 2004, which received a tentative approval on November 14, 2005.14 FDA approved Anchen's
application on December 14, 2006.15
To be approved, Anchen's product had to meet all requirements under 21 U.S.C. § 355(j),
including showing that it is bioequivalent to Wellbutrin XL and that it has the same labeling as
the RLD. Based on its review of Anchen's ANDA, FDA determined that Anchen's generic
bupropion HCl extended-release tablets and Wellbutrin XL are bioequivalent and have the same
labeling (with permissible differences). Anchen's ANDA also met the other statutory
requirements for approval. As a result, Anchen's approved product and Wellbutrin XL are
therapeutic equivalents and can be expected to have the same clinical effect and safety profile
when administered under the conditions specified in the labeling. Therefore, Anchen's product is
considered to be interchangeable with Wellbutrin XL.
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 10 of 36
16 A "metabolite" is a chemical produced in the body following the absorption and
processing of a parent chemical.
11
C. Biovail's Citizen Petition
On December 20, 2005, Biovail submitted a citizen petition (Petition) to FDA
concerning approval standards for ANDAs for generic versions of Wellbutrin XL. Biovail's
Petition asked the agency to require any ANDA for generic bupropion HCl extended-release
tablets to satisfy the following criteria to support a determination that the generic extended-
release product is bioequivalent to Wellbutrin XL:
(1) demonstrate that the generic extended-release product is also
bioequivalent to Wellbutrin IR and Wellbutrin SR;
(2) calculate bioequivalence based on the parent drug – bupropion HCl –
plus the parent drug's three metabolites;16
(3) use multiple-dose studies, rather than single-dose studies, to
demonstrate that the generic extended-release product is bioequivalent
to Wellbutrin IR and Wellbutrin SR; and
(4) conduct in-vitro tests on the generic formulation to show that alcohol
does not cause a substantial difference in the product's dose-release
profile, i.e., "dose dumping."
Biovail noted that, under the FDCA, the labeling for generic bupropion HCl extended-
release tablets must be the same – with certain exceptions – as the labeling for Wellbutrin XL.
Petition at 3. According to Biovail, unless Biovail's proposed criteria are satisfied, "there can be
no assurance" that the approved labeling for Wellbutrin XL, which includes test results and
warnings about potentially serious risks such as seizure, "are adequate to ensure that generic
versions are as safe and effective as the innovator product." Petition at 1 (Attachments 4, 4b,
4c).
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 11 of 36
17 See 21 C.F.R. § 10.30(e)(2) (requiring the agency to respond to petitions within 180
days of receipt by either approving or denying the petition or providing a tentative response).
12
On June 7, 2006, FDA issued a tentative response to Biovail's Petition in accordance with
its regulations,17 explaining that FDA had been unable to reach a decision to date because the
Petition "raises complex issues requiring extensive review and analysis by Agency officials."
(Attachment 11). Subsequently, Biovail submitted a letter to FDA, dated June 29, 2006, (Letter)
requesting that FDA take final action on the Petition no fewer than two business days before
giving final approval to any ANDA for generic bupropion HCl extended-release tablets. In the
Letter, Biovail threatened that, if the agency did not indicate by July 14, 2006, its intent to
respond to the Petition before taking action on any relevant ANDAs, "Biovail will consider itself
free to pursue appropriate judicial relief." Letter at 1 (Attachment 12).
On August 23, 2006, Biovail filed a Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)
with this Court alleging that FDA violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and
Biovail's right to due process by failing to substantively respond to the Petition within 180 days.
Biovail requested that this Court compel the agency to act on the Petition at least one week
before approving any ANDA for a generic version of Wellbutrin XL. This Court denied the
motion on August 25, 2006. Biovail Corp. v. FDA, Civ. No. 06-1487 (RMU), 2006 U.S. Dist.
LEXIS 62920 (D.D.C. Sept. 6, 2006).
In denying the motion, this Court found that Biovail did not make a sufficient showing of
irreparable harm to support its TRO request. Id. at *24. Further, this Court found that Biovail
did not demonstrate a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of its claims. This Court
recognized that "the public also has an interest in receiving generic competition to brand-name
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 12 of 36
18 FDA agreed with Biovail that, in assessing the bioequivalence of generic bupropion
HCl extended-release tablets to Wellbutrin XL, ANDA applicants should conduct a "fed"
bioequivalence study (drug administered shortly after a meal), in addition to a "fasted" study
(drug administered under fasting conditions), to demonstrate the absence of a "food effect" on
the release of the active ingredient in the generic product. Petition Resp. at 8; see FDA' s
guidance for industry, Food-Effect Bioavailability and Fed Bioequivalence Studies (Dec. 2002)
(Food Effect Guidance) at 4 (recommending that ANDA applicants conduct fasting and fed
bioequivalence studies for all orally administered modified-release drug products (such as
extended-release products)) (available at http://www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/5194fnl.htm).
13
drugs as soon as is possible" and stated that Biovail "has not established, or even alleged, that the
pending ANDA represents a drug that is unsafe." Id. at *31 (internal quotations omitted).
D. FDA's Response To Biovail's Petition
On December 14, 2006, after careful consideration of the issues, FDA denied most of
Biovail's Petition. FDA also denied Biovail's Letter, stating that the requested stay in approving
ANDAs is unwarranted because Biovail failed to demonstrate public policy grounds for the stay
and any delay is outweighed by public health interests. FDA's Response to the Petition (Petition
Resp.) at 15. (Attachment 13). FDA also disagreed with Biovail's assertion, as did this Court,
that due process requires FDA to give Biovail two days' notice before approving such ANDAs.
Id. at 16-18.
In denying the Petition in part, FDA responded as follows. First, FDA stated that, to
obtain approval, an ANDA applicant relies on the agency's finding of safety and effectiveness
for the RLD. FDA explained that, to rely on this finding, the ANDA applicant must demonstrate
that its generic drug is bioequivalent to the RLD, which in this case is Wellbutrin XL,18 and
meets all other requirements for ANDA approval, including appropriate labeling. Once these
requirements are met, the generic drug can be expected to be as safe and effective as the
innovator drug. FDA further explained that, once an ANDA applicant establishes that its
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 13 of 36
19 The BA/BE Guidance generally recommends measurement of only the parent drug,
rather than the metabolite, for bioequivalence studies and also describes two situations when it
may be appropriate to measure metabolites. BA/BE Guidance at 18. FDA determined that one
of the situations – when a metabolite may be formed as a result of gut wall or other presystemic
metabolism and the metabolite contributes meaningfully to safety and/or efficacy – applies to
Wellbutrin XL. FDA found that this situation is relevant to the metabolite hydroxybupropion
only. Petition Resp. at 10.
14
bupropion HCl extended-release tablets are bioequivalent to Wellbutrin XL and meet all the
other requirements for ANDA approval, the Wellbutrin XL labeling, including equivalence and
seizure information, are applicable to the generic extended-release product. Petition Resp. at 6-
7. FDA also stated that an ANDA applicant is not required to independently demonstrate
bioequivalence of its proposed product to Wellbutrin IR or Wellbutrin SR because neither one is
(or could be) the RLD in any ANDA application for generic bupropion HCl extended-release
tablets (i.e, generic versions of Wellbutrin XL). See id.
Second, FDA stated that, in comparing generic bupropion HCl extended-release tablets to
Wellbutrin XL for the purpose of demonstrating bioequivalence, it is necessary to measure
certain, but not all, of the three metabolites proposed by Biovail. In applying current
recommendations found in FDA's guidance for industry, Bioavailability and Bioequivalence
Studies for Orally Administered Drug Products ! General Considerations (March 2003) (BA/BE
Guidance) (available at http://www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/5356fnl.htm), the agency concluded
that only one metabolite – hydroxybupropion – based on its relative potency and exposure
compared to the other two metabolites (threohydrobupropion and erythrohydrobupropion),
contributes meaningfully to the safety and/or efficacy of the drug product and meets the other
factor described therein.19 Petition Resp. at 9-11. Therefore, FDA expects an ANDA applicant
for generic bupropion HCl extended-release tablets to measure the parent drug and the
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 14 of 36
20 FDA denied Biovail's request that ANDA applicants be required to employ statistical
criteria to calculate bioequivalence parameters for metabolites, noting that the BA/BE Guidance
currently recommends that metabolite data should be used to provide supportive evidence of
comparable therapeutic outcome and that only the parent drug should be analyzed using
specified bioequivalence statistical criteria. Petition Resp. at 11; see BA/BE Guidance at 18.
15
metabolite hydroxybupropion when evaluating bioequivalence.20 FDA concluded that the parent
drug and hydroxybupropion provide a scientifically reasonable and reliable indicator of the
drug's activity. Petition Resp. at 11.
Third, FDA stated that a single-dose, not a multiple-dose, study is the preferred approach
to demonstrating bioequivalence for generic drugs because single-dose studies are more sensitive
at detecting small differences in the rate and extent of drug absorption. Petition Resp. at 12.
Nevertheless, FDA concluded that, because an ANDA applicant is not required to demonstrate
bioequivalence of its generic version of Wellbutrin XL to the IR and SR formulations of
Wellbutrin, Biovail's argument that such evaluations should be conducted using multiple-dose
studies for those formulations is irrelevant. Id.
Finally, Biovail's request that the agency require ANDA applicants to provide in vitro
data demonstrating the absence of dose-dumping if the extended-release formulation is
consumed with alcohol is moot. The agency has asked ANDA applicants to submit data from in
vitro dissolution studies using various concentrations of ethanol (alcohol) to evaluate the
possible effect of alcohol. FDA stated that it considers the results of the in vitro data submitted
by the ANDA applicants when determining whether to approve each ANDA. Petition Resp. at
13.
E. Biovail's Second Application For Emergency Relief
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 15 of 36
21 Biovail also filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary
injunction, challenging FDA's approval on December 15, 2006, of Impax's ANDA and alleging
that, pursuant to the FDCA, Biovail's pending patent infringement suit against Impax should
have stayed the approval of Impax's 300 mg strength product. Biovail Corp., et al., v. FDA, et
al., Civ. No. 8:06-cv-03355 (RWT), (D. Md.) (filed Dec. 18, 2006). On December 21, after oral
argument on the motion, the court denied Biovail's request for emergency relief. (Docket No.
13).
16
On December 14, 2006, FDA approved, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 355(j), bupropion HCl
extended-release tablets manufactured by Anchen because the agency determined that Anchen's
generic product met the statutory and regulatory requirements for approval. FDA found this
drug product to be therapeutically equivalent to Biovail's Wellbutrin XL. FDA's approval of
Anchen's ANDA represents the first generic competitor to Biovail's Wellbutrin XL.
On December 18, 2006, Biovail filed a motion for leave to file an amended complaint in
this suit, seeking injunctive, declaratory, and mandamus relief against FDA. Biovail requests
this Court to declare that FDA was arbitrary and capricious for denying its Petition and for
approving Anchen's ANDA and any other ANDA for a generic version of Wellbutrin XL.
Biovail also requests this Court to require FDA to (i) suspend or withdraw the approval of
Anchen's ANDA (and any other approved ANDA for the same product), and (ii) grant Biovail's
Petition. Finally, Biovail seeks an injunction (preliminary and permanent) to prevent FDA from
approving ANDAs for bupropion HCl extended-release tablets until the applicants demonstrate
that they have met the conditions of approval set forth by Biovail.
The same day, Biovail filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary
injunction, alleging that FDA's denial of its Petition and approval of Anchen's ANDA were
improper.21 Biovail asserts that, because the Wellbutrin XL labeling states that the innovator
product has been demonstrated to be bioequivalent to the Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin IR
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 16 of 36
22 At other times in its brief, Biovail asserts that, because "FDA did not require Anchen
(or any other ANDA applicant) to have the same labeling as Wellbutrin XL®," the labeling on
the generic product(s) is "in clear violation of the FDCA." Pls. Mem. at 4 (emphasis added); see
also id. at 11, 15. Although, in these instances, Biovail claims that the labeling on Anchen's
product is not the same, it never points to any differences in the labeling. Of course, it could not,
as FDA approved Anchen's ANDA with the same labeling (with permissible exceptions) as the
labeling for Wellbutrin XL.
17
product formulations, an ANDA for a generic version of Wellbutrin XL must also contain
information demonstrating bioequivalence between the proposed generic and the Wellbutrin SR
and IR formulations. Pls. Mem. at 14-15. Biovail claims that, if the generic version has not been
tested to demonstrate bioequivalence to these other formulations, the generic extended-release
product cannot legitimately use the same labeling that is used for Wellbutrin XL.22 Biovail
concludes that, if the Wellbutrin XL labeling approved by FDA is used on Anchen's product,
"the public will be deceived as to the health risks associated with the product." Id. at 4, 15-16.
Biovail states that the Wellbutrin XL labeling provides not only that Wellbutrin XL has
been shown to be bioequivalent to Wellbutrin IR and Wellbutrin SR, but that the risk of seizure
associated with Wellbutrin XL is based on clinical trials conducted on those formulations.
According to Biovail, any ANDA applicant, therefore, has to conduct bioequivalence studies
between its product and the immediate- and sustained-release formulations in order to (i) ensure
that the seizure risk information on the Wellbutrin XL labeling is applicable to the generic
extended-release product, and (ii) permit the ANDA applicant to label its product with the
seizure risk information from the Wellbutrin XL labeling. In Biovail's view:
In order to legitimately have the same labeling as that used by Wellbutrin
XL® as required by the FDCA, Anchen (or any other ANDA applicant)
must first demonstrate bioequivalency not only to Wellbutrin XL®, but
also to the sustained-release and immediate-release versions of bupropion.
Unless such data are presented, the generic labeling would be inherently
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 17 of 36
18
false and misleading with respect to the applicability of the seizure risk
information presented in the labeling.
Pls. Mem. at 15.
Biovail's assertions are wrong. FDA determined that Anchen (i) demonstrated that its
generic bupropion HCl extended-release tablets are bioequivalent to the RLD, Wellbutrin XL,
(ii) met the other statutory requirements for approval, (iii) may rely on the agency's finding of
safety and effectiveness for the RLD, which finding is embodied in the labeling of Wellbutrin
XL, and (iv) can (and must) use the labeling for the RLD, with permissible differences. Despite
FDA's conclusions, which are based on a thorough review of the information in Anchen's ANDA
and – more importantly to Biovail's challenge – a complete assessment of the issues raised in
Biovail's Petition, Biovail now seeks emergency relief staying the effectiveness of Anchen's and
any other prior approval, and preventing any new approval, of generic versions of Wellbutrin
XL. Biovail insists that its own criteria for bioequivalence should replace the agency's scientific
expertise on the matter. Biovail's attempt to usurp FDA's authority should not be tolerated, and
its motion for preliminary relief should be denied.
ARGUMENT
A preliminary injunction is an extraordinary remedy not to be granted lightly. Bristol-
Myers Squibb Co. v. Shalala, 923 F. Supp. 212, 215 (D.D.C. 1996). As the Supreme Court has
said, "It frequently is observed that a preliminary injunction is an extraordinary and drastic
remedy, one that should not be granted unless the movant, by a clear showing, carries the burden
of persuasion." Mazurek v. Armstrong, 520 U.S. 968, 972 (1997) (internal quotation omitted).
To obtain a preliminary injunction, a party must demonstrate that: (1) it has a substantial
likelihood of success on the merits; (2) it will suffer irreparable injury in the absence of
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 18 of 36
19
preliminary relief; (3) other interested parties will not be substantially injured if the requested
relief is granted; and (4) granting such relief would serve the public interest. Mova Pharm. Corp.
v. Shalala, 140 F.3d 1060, 1066 (D.C. Cir. 1998); CityFed Fin. Corp. v. Office of Thrift
Supervision, 58 F.3d 738, 746 (D.C. Cir. 1995); see also Washington Metro. Area Transit
Comm'n v. Holiday Tours, Inc., 559 F.2d 841, 843-44 (D.C. Cir. 1977) ("Holiday Tours"). The
Court must balance the four factors in deciding whether to grant the injunctive relief. Mova,
140 F.3d at 1066. Although the factors are balanced on a sliding scale, without a "'substantial
indication'" of likely success on the merits, "'there would be no justification for the court's
intrusion into the ordinary processes of administration and judicial review.'" American Bankers
Ass'n v. Nat'l Credit Union Admin., 38 F. Supp. 2d 114, 140 (D.D.C. 1999) (quoting Holiday
Tours, 559 F.2d at 843); see Serono Labs., Inc. v. Shalala, 158 F.3d 1313, 1326 (D.C. Cir. 1998).
I. BIOVAIL HAS NOT SHOWN A LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS ON THE MERITS
A. FDA's Administrative Decision Is Entitled To Deference
Biovail's likelihood of success on the merits of its claim must be considered in light of
the applicable standard of review. FDA’s administrative decisions are subject to review by the
Court under the APA, and may be disturbed only if “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion,
or otherwise not in accordance with law.” 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A). This standard is highly
deferential to the agency. Citizens to Preserve Overton Park, Inc. v. Volpe, 401 U.S. 402, 416
(1971). Indeed, “‘there is a presumption in favor of the validity of the administrative action.’”
Bristol-Myers, 923 F. Supp. at 216 (quoting Ethicon, Inc. v. FDA, 762 F. Supp. 382, 386
(D.D.C. 1991)). The reviewing court must consider whether the agency’s decision was based
upon consideration of the relevant factors and whether there has been a clear error of judgment.
Overton Park, 401 U.S. at 416. However, “under this narrow scope of review, ‘[t]he court is not
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 19 of 36
20
empowered to substitute its judgment for that of the agency.’” Bristol-Myers, 923 F. Supp. at
216 (quoting Overton Park, 401 U.S. at 416). In applying the arbitrary and capricious standard,
the court reviews the administrative record assembled by the agency and does not undertake its
own fact finding. See, e.g., Camp v. Pitts, 411 U.S. 138, 142 (1973).
When, as here, an agency’s decision is based on evaluation of scientific information
within the agency’s area of technical expertise, its decisions are traditionally accorded great
deference. Southwestern Pennsylvania Growth Alliance v. Browner, 121 F.3d 106, 117 (3d Cir.
1997); Bristol-Myers, 923 F. Supp. at 216 (citing Federal Power Comm’n v. Florida Power &
Light Co., 404 U.S. 453, 463 (1972)). Courts “review scientific judgments of the agency ‘not as
the chemist, biologist, or statistician that [they] are qualified neither by training nor experience
to be, but as a reviewing court exercising [its] narrowly defined duty of holding agencies to
certain minimal standards of rationality.’” Troy Corp. v. Browner, 120 F.3d 277, 283 (D.C. Cir.
1997) (quoting Ethyl Corp. v. EPA, 541 F.2d 1, 36 (D.C. Cir. 1976)); see also International
Fabricare Inst. v. EPA, 972 F.2d 384, 389 (D.C. Cir. 1992) ("The rationale for deference is
particularly strong when [the agency] is evaluating scientific data within its technical
expertise."). Affording the highest level of deference to an agency’s scientific judgments is
particularly apt when the judgment relates to a choice of an appropriate testing methodology.
See Solite Corp. v. EPA, 952 F.2d 473, 489-90 (D.C. Cir. 1991); see also National Ass’n of
Metal Finishers v. EPA, 719 F.2d 624, 657 (3d Cir. 1983) (“the choice of scientific data and
statistical methodology to be used is best left to the sound discretion of the [agency]”).
Such deference has repeatedly been applied in cases under the FDCA. See, e.g., Serono
Labs., 158 F.3d at 1320-21 (in innovator's challenge to ANDA approval on whether the active
ingredient in the generic was the same, the court held that "FDA's determination of 'sameness'
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 20 of 36
21
for purposes of the Act rests on the 'agency's evaluations of scientific data within its area of
expertise,' and hence is entitled to a 'high level of deference' from this court") (quoting in part
A.L. Pharma, Inc. v. Shalala, 62 F.3d 1484, 1490 (D.C. Cir. 1995)); Henley v. FDA, 77 F.3d
616, 621 (2d Cir. 1996) ("FDA possesses the requisite know-how to conduct such [scientific]
analyses, by sifting through the scientific evidence to determine the most accurate and up-to-date
information regarding a particular drug . . . . We therefore defer to its reasonable findings.");
Tri-Bio Laboratories, Inc. v. United States, 836 F.2d 135, 142 (3d Cir. 1987) ("in evaluating
scientific evidence in the drug field, the FDA possesses an expertise entitled to respectful
consideration by this court”), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 818 (1988).
This deference is especially apparent in the context of bioequivalence determinations. In
Bristol-Myers, the company sought a preliminary injunction against FDA’s approval of a generic
competitor. Bristol-Myers argued that FDA had impermissibly utilized in vitro testing to
determine the bioequivalence of the generic product. 923 F. Supp. at 216. The court denied the
preliminary injunction, explaining that the "case involves the agency’s scientific judgments
concerning what testing methods are needed to establish bioequivalence” and that FDA "has
wide discretion to determine how the bioequivalence requirement is met." Id. at 218. Where
FDA had examined all relevant data and articulated a satisfactory explanation for its action, the
court concluded that the "dispute is fundamentally a scientific one over which court lacks
expertise and FDA is expert." Id. at 219-20.
There are several other examples of FDA's bioequivalence determinations receiving
deference from the courts. See, e.g., Fisons Corp. v. Shalala, 860 F. Supp. 859, 866-67 (D.D.C.
1994) (denying Fisons' request for a preliminary injunction against approval of generic
competitors, recognizing that "the factual determination of how bioequivalence is determined
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 21 of 36
23 See also Berlex Labs., Inc. v. FDA, 942 F. Supp. 19, 25 (D. D.C. 1996) (upholding
FDA's decision to permit Biogen to show that its product, which had not been clinically tested,
was "comparable" to Berlex's product, which had been clinically tested, because such scientific
judgment within the agency's discretion); Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Shalala, 91 F.3d 1493,
1499-1500 (D.C. Cir. 1996) (rejecting claim that, because the statute requires generic drugs to
have the "same" labeling, FDA could not approve generic drugs with labeling that omitted
certain uses that were on the innovator drugs' labeling, and holding that FDA's determination that
generic products did not have to have identical labeling when labeling was protected by
exclusivity was permissible).
22
properly rests within FDA's discretion"); Schering Corp. v. FDA, 51 F.3d 390, 399 (3d Cir.
1995) (recognizing that, in selecting methods of determining bioequivalence for non-
systemically effective generic drugs, FDA's "judgments as to what is required to ascertain the
safety and efficacy of drugs fall squarely within the ambit of the FDA's expertise and merit
deference from us"); Somerset Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Shalala, 973 F. Supp. 443, 453 (D. Del.
1997) (denying Somerset's motion for preliminary injunction because the "determination of
which method is the most 'accurate, sensitive, and reproducible' for measuring bioequivalence is
a matter of scientific judgment, falling squarely with the FDA's discretion").23
B. FDA's Decision Regarding The Scientific Information Necessary To Support A
Demonstration Of Bioequivalence Between A Generic Version Of Wellbutrin XL,
Including Anchen's, And The Brand-Name Drug Is Not Arbitrary And Capricious
The record reflects FDA's reasoned decision-making in rejecting Biovail's argument that
ANDA applicants must meet criteria in addition to the requirements set forth by FDA to
demonstrate that a generic version of Wellbutrin XL is bioequivalent to Wellbutrin XL, the
RLD. In relying on its scientific and technical expertise, the agency acted reasonably when it
used its long-standing, well-established, and scientifically based bioequivalence criteria to
approve Anchen's ANDA. Biovail has failed to show that FDA was arbitrary and capricious in
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 22 of 36
23
reaching its decision on the requirements necessary to demonstrate bioequivalence for generic
versions of Wellbutrin XL or in applying that decision to Anchen's ANDA.
As Congress has set forth in the FDCA, 21 U.S.C. § 355(j), a generic product can be
expected to be as safe and effective as the RLD if all of the requirements for ANDA approval are
met. The ANDA applicant need not duplicate extensive clinical studies to demonstrate safety
and effectiveness. Rather, the generic drug relies on FDA's finding of safety and effectiveness
for the RLD, which FDA has already approved. For an ANDA applicant to rely on FDA's
previous determination of safety and effectiveness, its application must, among other things,
include information to show that the generic drug (i) has the same active ingredient, conditions
of use, dosage form, strength, and route of administration as the RLD, and (ii) is bioequivalent
to, and has the same labeling as, the RLD. See 21 U.S.C. § 355(j)(2)(A); 21 C.F.R. § 314.94(a).
Meeting the approval criteria means that the generic drug can be expected to provide the same
level of safety and effectiveness as – and as a general matter can be substituted for – the
innovator product. This is the "bedrock principle" of the Hatch-Waxman framework.
As previously explained, FDA approved Anchen's ANDA because it met all of the
statutory requirements for approval. Anchen's bupropion HCl extended-release tablets have the
same active ingredient, conditions of use, dosage form, strength, and route of administration as
the RLD, Wellbutrin XL. In addition, Anchen's product is bioequivalent to Wellbutrin XL, and
has the same labeling (except for certain permissible differences) as Wellbutrin XL. Thus, FDA
has determined that Anchen's product can be expected to have the same clinical effect and safety
profile as the brand-name drug and can be substituted for it – the precise result that Biovail
hopes to reverse.
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 23 of 36
24 The labeling states that the seizure risks for Wellbutrin XL® were "not formally
evaluated in clinical trials" and that the risks for Wellbutrin XL "may be similar to that presented
below for the immediate-release and sustained-release formulations of bupropion." Pls. Mem. at
9; Petition at 5. The labeling also states that "both Wellbutrin XL and the sustained-release
formulation of bupropion (Wellbutrin SR) are bioequivalent to the immediate-release
formulation." Petition at 5.
24
In this case, there is no dispute that Wellbutrin XL and Anchen's drug product have the
same active ingredient, conditions of use, dosage form, strength, and route of administration.
Further, Biovail does not challenge FDA's review of the bioequivalence data – or any other data
– contained in Anchen's ANDA. The only issue here is whether the bioequivalence requirements
set forth in FDA's response to Biovail's Petition, and applied in the approval of Anchen's ANDA,
are adequate. As described in the Petition Response, pursuant to FDA's statute and regulations,
the bioequivalence data necessary to support ANDA approval must show that the proposed
generic is bioequivalent to the RLD. Biovail argues that that is insufficient.
Biovail incorrectly asserts that ANDA applicants for bupropion HCl extended-release
tablets have to show that their products are bioequivalent not only to the RLD, but to other
formulations of bupropion HCl – Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin IR – as well. Pls. Mem. at 15.
This is simply not so. According to Biovail, unless generic competitors fulfill the additional
criteria it has proposed, generic extended-release products cannot be expected to be as safe and
effective as Wellbutrin XL. Again, Biovail is wrong.
Wellbutrin XL's labeling states that Wellbutrin XL is bioequivalent to both the IR and SR
formulations of bupropion HCl and that the seizure risk information for Wellbutrin XL is based
on the seizure risk data for the other formulations (i.e., Wellbutrin risks may be similar).24 In
Biovail's view, such labeling statements have created new bioequivalence requirements for
generic versions of the drug. See Pls. Mem at 14-15. Its argument rests on the proposition that
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 24 of 36
25 In seeking preliminary relief, Biovail's argument focuses on demonstrating
bioequivalence to formulations other than Wellbutrin XL. However, because Biovail's amended
complaint refers, albeit cursorily, to two other proposed criteria, which were raised in the
Petition, we mention those criteria here. According to the amended complaint, FDA abused its
discretion by not requiring ANDA applicants to: (a) demonstrate bioequivalence with respect to
all three metabolites; and (b) submit data from bioequivalence trials at steady-state. See
25
the seizure risk information in Wellbutrin XL's labeling may be inaccurate as applied to the
generic drug, unless the ANDA applicant conducts studies that Biovail believes will
independently confirm the applicability to the generic drug of the Wellbutrin XL's labeling on
seizure risk. In fact, Biovail suggests that, if the generic extended-release product does not meet
these additional criteria but, nevertheless, uses the labeling approved for Wellbutrin XL (a
statutory requirement), that labeling, when used for the generic drug, would be false and
misleading (a statutory violation). Id. at 15. This argument does not withstand scrutiny,
however.
Biovail flips the ANDA approval process on its head when it suggests that comparative
bioequivalence information for other formulations that is included in the RLD's labeling
establishes new bioequivalence requirements for ANDA applicants seeking FDA approval for
generic versions of Wellbutrin XL. Instead, the statute requires the proposed generic product to
demonstrate bioequivalence with respect to the RLD, with which it shares, among other things,
its active ingredient and dosage form. See 21 U.S.C. § 355(j)(2)(A)(iv). The applicability of
risk and other information in the RLD's labeling to the generic drug follows, as a matter of
science, once the ANDA applicant has established bioequivalence and met the other
requirements for ANDA approval. Wellbutrin XL's substantive risk information is applicable to
Anchen's product without requiring Anchen to conduct the additional bioequivalence studies
Biovail proposes.25 Although Biovail derides Anchen's "attempt[] to piggy-back on Biovail's
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 25 of 36
Amended Cmplt. ¶ 32. FDA previously considered and, for the reasons explained in its Petition
Response, rejected these claims. See supra at 13-14. Biovail's motion for preliminary relief fails
to advance any supporting arguments. It also bears noting that neither Biovail's Petition nor its
amended complaint takes issue with FDA's BA/BE Guidance that describes the current method
for determining which metabolite(s) to examine in demonstrating bioequivalence or with FDA's
finding that the metabolite hydroxybupropion meets the factors set forth therein.
26 Even if relevant here, the Food Effect Guidance and the "sprinkle study" referenced
therein, support the agency's position, not Biovail's. A "sprinkle study" is done in very specific
circumstances to demonstrate that both the generic drug and the RLD perform the same when
sprinkled on soft foods, such as applesauce. Food Effect Guidance at 9. In such circumstances,
the ANDA applicant will demonstrate (as the statute requires) bioequivalence by comparing the
generic drug product to the RLD.
26
determination" that Wellbutrin XL has the same seizure risk as the SR and IR formulations
"without doing the requisite research and analysis" (Pls. Mem. at 15), this "piggy-backing" is
exactly what Hatch-Waxman contemplates. See, e.g., Zeneca, 213 F.3d at 164; In re Barr
Laboratories, 930 F.2d at 73; see also Bristol-Myers, 91 F.3d at 1495.
. To require Anchen to duplicate the findings in the innovator labeling would be contrary to law
and the underlying purpose of Hatch-Waxman Amendments.
Biovail's point that FDA, in other instances, required ANDA applicants to conduct
additional testing is unavailing. See Pls. Mem. at 16-17. Biovail cites to FDA's Food Effect
Guidance, see supra at 13 n.18, to support its contention that FDA can require an ANDA
applicant to provide "additional data to make the labeling accurate." Pls. Mem. at 16. FDA has
the discretion to require certain studies under circumstances when it believes such studies are
warranted. FDA also has the discretion to decline to ask for additional studies unless it has
determined that they are necessary.26 Cf. 21 C.F.R. § 320.25(a) ("no unnecessary human
research should be done").
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 26 of 36
27 This statement is based on the studies conducted to support the approval of the RLD,
Wellbutrin XL. In light of the design of the ANDA approval process – to allow ANDA
applicants to "piggy-back" on the innovator's findings – the labeling for generic drugs generally
includes information on scientific studies conducted not on the generic product, but on the RLD.
Replacing the trade name of the RLD with the chemical name for generic drug labeling is one of
the permissible labeling differences and is established practice.
27
Furthermore, Anchen's product labeling is truthful and not misleading. Cf. Dr. Reddy's
Labs., Inc., v. Thompson, 302 F. Supp.2d 340, 363 (D. N.J. 2003) (stating that FDA has the
scientific expertise to assess proposed labeling and is entitled to deference); Henley, 77 F.3d at
620-21 (same). The generic product's labeling does not state that Anchen has independently
demonstrated bioequivalence of its extended-release formulation with the immediate-release and
sustained-release formulations. See Pls. Mem. at 15. Rather, the labeling for Anchen's product
states that bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) are bioequivalent to both the
immediate-release formulation of bupropion and to the sustained-release formulation of
bupropion.27 The labeling also includes the same substantive dose-related seizure risk
information as is presented in Wellbutrin XL's labeling. Anchen's product, therefore, is
appropriately labeled and meets the statutory "same labeling" requirement.
Biovail's point that FDA "requested" or "required" Wellbutrin XL's NDA to contain
certain information is immaterial and irrelevant. See Pls. Mem. at 8 (asserting that FDA
requested Biovail to examine three metabolites of bupropion), 10 (stating that FDA required
Biovail to demonstrate that Wellbutrin XL was bioequivalent to the IR and SR formulations), 11
(same). In presenting its position, Biovail fails to recognize an important distinction. The
bioequivalence information used in approving an innovator drug such as Wellbutrin XL fulfills a
function different from bioequivalence studies conducted for purposes of generic drug approval.
In approving an NDA, FDA makes a finding of safety and effectiveness, 21 U.S.C. § 355(c)(1),
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 27 of 36
28
(d); when approving an ANDA, FDA determines that a generic drug meets certain approval
criteria set out in 21 U.S.C. § 355(j), which permits the generic product to rely on the finding of
safety and effectiveness made for the RLD.
In this case, the safety and effectiveness finding for the Wellbutrin XL on which the
ANDA applicant is entitled to rely is based, in part, on certain bioequivalence information used
by the innovator to obtain approval for its Wellbutrin XL formulation. Wellbutrin XL was not
approved based on clinical trials demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of the XL product
itself. Pls. Mem. at 8. Rather, Wellbutrin XL received FDA approval based on other data,
including bioequivalence comparisons between Wellbutrin XL and other (already approved)
formulations of the drug. See supra at 9. It simply does not follow, however, that determining
bioequivalence between a generic drug and its RLD must be based on the same quantum and
type of evidence used to support approval of the RLD; nor does it follow that the bioequivalence
criteria for generic drugs must vary depending upon the type of evidence submitted to support
approval of the RLD.
Biovail seeks to have FDA require ANDA applicants to meet the proposed additional
criteria because Biovail claims the criteria are necessary to protect patients from potentially
serious risks (as disclosed in Wellbutrin XL labeling) that may be associated with bupropion HCl
extended-release tablets. See Pls. Mem. at 15-16, 19-20. Biovail's concern that there are safety
issues with generic versions of Wellbutrin XL that are unique to the generic drug is baseless.
The seizure risks are inherent in the drug product (i.e., bupropion HCl) itself – whether the
innovator or generic version – and are adequately addressed in the bioequivalence requirements
FDA has adopted for the generic products. FDA is as mindful of the safety-related issues in
approving the ANDA for the generic product as it was in approving the NDA for Wellbutrin
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 28 of 36
28 In a last-ditch effort to call into question the safety of generic versions of Wellbutrin
XL, Biovail submits the Silverstone declaration and accompanying attachments. Pls. Mem. at 6
n.6, 19-20 and n.14; Exh. 4 to Pls. Mem. Biovail claims that the Silverstone declaration and
attachments demonstrate the need to ensure bioequivalence of generic Wellbutrin XL to other
formulations of bupropion. However, those documents are not part of the administrative record
and, therefore, deserve no consideration. Under the APA, review of FDA's decision is limited to
the record compiled by the agency. Biovail could have submitted the information in the
Silverstone declaration to FDA when its Petition was under review. It did not, and should not be
permitted to do an end-run around the agency's administrative process.
Even if the Silverstone declaration were to be considered, it does little to advance
Biovail's position. For example, the one paragraph in the declaration to which Biovail cites in
regard to other bupropion formulations fails to offer any support for its conclusory statement
therein. See Silverstone Decl. ¶ 9 (proposing, without explanation, that "[u]nless bioequivalence
is established with regard to the previous bupropion formulations, there is no linkage between
the risk of seizure for a generic formulation and the label statement regarding the incidence of
seizure").
29
XL.28 Because the generic drug labeling includes the same substantive warnings and dose-
related seizure risk information as is found in the RLD labeling for Wellbutrin XL, health care
providers are aware of the risks associated with the product, regardless of whether the product is
the innovator or generic version.
The additional studies Biovail would require from ANDA applicants are not necessary.
Biovail has provided neither FDA nor this Court with evidence that FDA's decision regarding the
scientific information necessary to support a demonstration of bioequivalence between generic
versions of Wellbutrin XL, including Anchen's, and the brand-name drug is inadequate.
Biovail's attempt to have FDA create requirements that are neither statutorily mandated nor
scientifically necessary should be rejected. Furthermore, in Serono, the court held that a finding
that the movant is not likely to succeed on the merits "effectively decides the preliminary
injunction issue" because the other injunction factors "either are a wash or are inextricably linked
to the merits." 158 F.3d at 1326. The same holds true in this case.
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 29 of 36
30
II. BIOVAIL HAS FAILED TO SHOW THAT IT WILL SUFFER IRREPARABLE HARM
ABSENT PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
Biovail has failed to demonstrate that it will suffer irreparable harm if the court does not
grant the preliminary relief it seeks. Courts insist that only irreparable harm justifies the
issuance of a preliminary injunction. Indeed, "[t]he sine qua non of granting any preliminary
injunctive relief is a clear and convincing showing of irreparable injury to the plaintiff."
Experience Works, Inc. v. Chao, 267 F. Supp. 2d 93, 96 (D.D.C. 2003).
"Irreparability of injury is a very high standard." Bristol-Myers, 923 F. Supp at 220
(internal quotations omitted). The injury alleged must be certain, great, actual, and imminent,
Wisconsin Gas Co. v. FERC, 758 F.2d 669, 674 (D.C. Cir. 1985), and it must be "'more than
simply irretrievable; it must also be serious in terms of its effect on the plaintiff.'" Mylan v.
Thompson, 139 F. Supp. 2d 1, 27 (D.D.C.) ("Mylan (buspirone)") (quoting Gulf Oil Corp. v.
Dept. of Energy, 514 F. Supp. 1019, 1026 (D.D.C. 1981)), rev'd other grounds, 268 F.3d 1323
(Fed. Cir. 2001). Because Biovail is not likely to succeed on the merits, Biovail "would have to
make a very substantial showing of severe irreparable injury" to prevail on its motion. National
Pharm. Alliance v. Henney, 47 F. Supp. 2d 37, 41 (D.D.C. 1999).
It is well settled that mere economic loss in and of itself does not constitute irreparable
harm. Wisconsin Gas, 758 F.2d at 674; Mylan Pharm., Inc. v. Shalala, 81 F. Supp. 2d 30, 42
(D.D.C. 2000) ("Mylan (terazosin)"); Bristol-Myers, 923 F. Supp. at 220. "'Mere injuries,
however substantial, in terms of money, time and energy necessarily expended . . . '" are
inadequate. Wisconsin Gas, 758 F.2d at 674 (quoting Virginia Petroleum Jobbers Ass'n v. FPC,
259 F.2d 921, 925 (D.C. Cir. 1958)). Even irrecoverable economic loss does not rise to the level
of irreparable harm unless the financial injury is "serious in terms of its effect on the plaintiff."
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 30 of 36
31
Gulf Oil, 514 F. Supp. at 1026; see also Experience Works, Inc., 267 F. Supp. 2d at 96 ($21.1
million reduction in funding is serious financial blow, but one frequently faced by other similar
entities, and not an economic loss that threatens survival of the business); Sociedad Anonima
Viña Santa Rita v. Dep't of Treasury, 193 F. Supp. 2d 6, 14 (D.D.C. 2001) ("financial harm alone
cannot constitute irreparable injury unless it threatens the very existence of the movant's
business"); Mylan (terazosin), 81 F. Supp. 2d at 42-43.
Notwithstanding this well-established standard, Biovail's claimed financial loss, as well
as its claim of intangible losses, are speculative and merely forms of economic loss that do not
meet the high standards set forth above. Specifically, Biovail projects that its sales revenue from
Wellbutrin XL is about $33.6 million per month, suggesting that, "shortly after announcement of
a generic version being approved," the company will lose about one to two month's worth of that
revenue. Howling Decl. at ¶ 18 (attached to Pls. Mem. as Exh. 3). Biovail also asserts that, "at
the midpoint of total revenue guidance . . . for 2006," the sale of "Wellbutrin XL® constitutes
approximately 42% of Biovail's sales." Howling Decl. at ¶ 6; Pls. Mem. at 17. Biovail fails to
demonstrate, however, that the loss of such revenue would have any materially significant
impact on its business. Nor could it.
It is evident from publicly available sources that Biovail has anticipated the introduction
of generic competitors of Wellbutrin XL and planned for the impact on its revenue. Biovail
reported in a recent financial update that its "overall revenue guidance for 2007," which is an
estimated $800 million to $850 million, is based on the "assumption that a generic formulation of
Wellbutrin XL® is launched in the U.S. on January 1, 2007." Biovail Provides Financial
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 31 of 36
29 See also Biovail's 2005 Annual Report at 44 ("A number of companies are seeking
FDA approval for generic versions of Wellbutrin XL®. As a result, a generic version of
Wellbutrin XL® could be launched in 2007 or sooner, at which point we would anticipate losing
a substantial portion of the pre-genericization revenue from Wellbutrin XL® product sales
within a short period of time.") (emphasis added); id. at 100-101 (noting that four manufacturers
have filed ANDAs for a generic version of Wellbutrin XL).
32
Update, 2007 Guidance, Toronto (Business Wire), Dec. 6, 2006.29 An amount of $800 million or
more in total revenue hardly gives the appearance of a company facing severe irreparable injury.
Further, Biovail has provided no evidence that diminished sales of Wellbutrin XL will
severely compromise its continued viability. Biovail's size is not trivial – it "operates facilities in
Barbados, Canada, the United States, Ireland, and Puerto Rico" with "approximately 1,750
employees worldwide." Biovail's 2005 Annual Report at i. Nor is it a one-product company.
Cf. Bracco Diagnostics, Inc. v. Shalala, 963 F. Supp. 20, 29 (D.D.C. 1997) (recognizing injury to
one-product line company). According to Biovail, it promotes and distributes a variety of
products in the United States and Canada. Biovail's 2005 Annual Report at 31 (providing a table
"summarizing Biovail's commercial product line").
Biovail's attempt to meet the irreparable harm standard is further weakened by statements
in its Form 6-K for the quarterly period ending June 30, 2006, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission:
In the event of generic competition, GSK may launch an authorized
generic version of Wellbutrin XL® for distribution in the U.S. Under the
terms of the Wellbutrin XL® agreement, [Biovail] will be the exclusive
manufacturer and supplier to GSK of such an authorized generic.
[Biovail's] supply price to GSK for Wellbutrin XL® generic product will
be fixed each year based on contractually agreed prices. This supply price
will be substantially lower than the tiered supply price that [Biovail]
currently receives on sales of Wellbutrin XL® brand product.
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 32 of 36
30 We note that Biovail would have the opportunity to recover damages (although not
against the government) if it ultimately prevails in its patent infringement suit against Anchen.
33
Id. at 24. Thus, Biovail stands to profit by supplying an "authorized generic" version of
Wellbutrin XL.
Biovail suggests that its losses are per se irreparable because they are unrecoverable from
the government.30 Pls. Mem. at 18. The two cases that Biovail cites, however, do not support
that proposition in the absence of extraordinary circumstances. See Express One Int'l, Inc. v.
U.S. Postal Serv., 814 F. Supp. 87, 91 (D.D.C. 1992) (finding that, without preliminary
injunctive relief, movant would face "significant lay-off, capital, and facility costs inherent in
closing down and restarting a major transportation network"); Hoffman-Laroche, Inc. v.
Califano, 453 F. Supp. 900, 901 (D.D.C. 1978) (noting that movant's sales accounted for 99% of
all sales of the drug at issue).
Allegations of lost sales are a far cry from the required demonstration of a "serious" and
"irretrievable" loss that "would significantly damage its business above and beyond a simple
diminution in profits." Mylan (buspirone), 139 F. Supp. 2d at 27 (also noting that the "D.C.
Circuit is hesitant to award injunctive relief based purely on loss opportunities and market
share"); Mylan (terazosin), 81 F. Supp. 2d at 42. Biovail relies on CollaGenex Pharm., Inc. v.
Thompson, Civ. No. 03-1405 (RMC), 2003 WL 21697344 (D.D.C.), which is easily
distinguishable. There, plaintiff was a small company that received its only significant revenue
from sales of the drug subject to the litigation. Id. at *3. The court found that, without
preliminary relief, the innovator's "continued viability would be at issue." Id. at *10.
Regarding other potential injuries, Biovail's arguments about the harm to its reputation
and marketing relationships that will follow from an alleged "potentially unsafe generic version"
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 33 of 36
34
of Wellbutrin XL presume that FDA has not complied with the statutory and regulatory
requirements when approving ANDAs for a generic version of Wellbutrin XL. See Howling
Decl. at ¶¶ 5, 12, 19-21. Biovail has offered no persuasive evidence to show that a generic
version of Wellbutrin XL will have a safety profile different from Wellbutrin XL – and FDA's
determination that the generic version of Wellbutrin XL is bioequivalent to Wellbutrin XL is
directly contrary. Moreover, Biovail's speculation of reputational marketplace injury does not
meet the standard of irreparable harm. This argument has been specifically rejected in the drug
approval context. See Bristol-Myers, 923 F.Supp. at 221 (rejecting company's allegation that its
reputation would suffer if a generic were approved, noting that there was nothing in the record to
support such a claim); Somerset, 973 F. Supp. at 455 (rejecting company's claim that its
reputation would be harmed if patients were injured by generic products, noting that company
had "offered little more than a bare assertion" in support of this claim).
Biovail has not demonstrated any irreparable injury sufficient to justify entry of the
emergency relief it seeks. Biovail has also failed to demonstrate that it is likely to succeed on
the merits, for all of the reasons stated in Section I, supra. In sum, Biovail has failed to
demonstrate that this case warrants the grant of the extraordinary remedy of a preliminary
injunction.
III. FDA WILL BE HARMED IF BIOVAIL'S REQUEST FOR RELIEF IS GRANTED
Biovail has also failed to show that any harm it may suffer in the absence of injunctive
relief outweighs the potential harm to FDA. Although FDA has no commercial stake in the
outcome of this litigation, FDA is the government agency charged with implementing the
statutory scheme governing the approval of generic drugs. FDA must implement the Hatch-
Waxman Amendments to make lower cost drugs available to the public when those drugs are
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 34 of 36
35
found to meet the requirements for approval. See In re Barr Laboratories, Inc., 930 F.2d 72, 76
(D.C. Cir. 1991) (“Congress sought to get generic drugs into the hands of patients at reasonable
prices – fast.”). As such, FDA’s interest coincides with the public interest. Serono Labs,158
F.3d at 1326 (determining that the public interest is “inextricably linked” to Congress’s purpose
in passing the Hatch-Waxman Amendments); Mylan (terazosin), 81 F. Supp. 2d at 41-45.
Biovail argues that FDA will suffer no harm if a preliminary injunction issues because
the injunction would maintain the status quo. Pls. Mem. at 20-21. Biovail ignores, however,
that the agency has already determined pursuant to its statutory authority that generic versions of
Wellbutrin XL meets the statutory requirements for approval. A preliminary injunction therefore
would not simply maintain the status quo of unapproved ANDAs, but would thwart Congress's
generic drug approval scheme and FDA's lawful implementation of that scheme by forcing FDA
to suspend its approval of approved ANDAs. FDA and the public, therefore, would be
considerably harmed if this Court were to grant a preliminary injunction. For these reasons, the
balance of harms do not tilt in Biovail's favor.
IV. THE PUBLIC INTEREST WEIGHS AGAINST BIOVAIL'S REQUEST FOR
INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
As noted, the public benefits from the increased competition incident to FDA's approval
of a generic version of Wellbutrin XL. Biovail cannot show that the public interest would be
served by delaying approval for the generic extended-release product. Such a stay would cause
consumers to suffer because Biovail's monopoly and the accompanying price structure for its
innovator drug would continue. See Boehringer Ingelheim Corp. v. Shalala, 993 F. Supp. 1, 3
(D.D.C. 1997) ("there is the public interest in receiving generic competition to brand-name drugs
as soon as is possible"); see also Apotex, Inc. v. FDA, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20894 *60 (public
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 35 of 36
36
interest is not served by injunction that “would effectively constitute a constructive extension of
the brand manufacturer’s patent”).
As explained above, Biovail's contention that the failure to grant injunctive relief will put
the public health at risk is baseless. After full consideration of Biovail's arguments in its
Petition, FDA has determined that none of Biovail's arguments has merit or otherwise justifies
any stay of approval of ANDAs for generic bupropion HCl extended-release tablets. The public
interest, therefore, weighs against Biovail's claim for injunctive relief.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons above, Biovail’s motion for a preliminary injunction should be denied.
Respectfully submitted,
OF COUNSEL:
DANIEL MERON PETER D. KEISLER
General Counsel Assistant Attorney General
SHELDON T. BRADSHAW EUGENE M. THIROLF
Chief Counsel Director
Food and Drug Division Office of Consumer Litigation
ERIC M. BLUMBERG
Deputy Chief Counsel, Litigation /s/
GERALD C. KELL
CLAUDIA J. ZUCKERMAN Senior Trial Counsel
Associate Chief Counsel J.P. ELLISON
U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services Trial Attorney
Office of the General Counsel Office of Consumer Litigation
5600 Fishers Lane, GCF-1 U.S. Department of Justice
Rockville, MD 20857 P.O. Box 386
(301) 827-3676 Washington, D.C. 20044
Tel: (202) 514-1586
Fax: (202) 514-8742
Counsel for Defendants
Case 1:06-cv-01487-RMU Document 23 Filed 12/29/2006 Page 36 of 36
