PharmaPrint, AHP Settle Lawsuit

PharmaPrint, AHP Settle Lawsuit

IRVINE, Calif.--On Aug. 23, PharmaPrint and American Home Products (AHP) settled a lawsuit that has been pending since Nov. 16, 1999. The lawsuit, brought by PharmaPrint, accused AHP of using PharmaPrint trade secrets to develop its own products. Those products, claimed PharmaPrint, contained herbs, vitamins and minerals (one or more of each) that were "developed" specifically by PharmaPrint for inclusion in "combination" products.

The suit also alleged that AHP breached its contract with PharmaPrint and breached good faith. According to PharmaPrint, AHP unsuccessfully developed a line of combination products; following that, claimed PharmaPrint, it entered into supply and license agreements with PharmaPrint. According to the lawsuit, "AHP did not have sufficient time or capability to develop on its own a process of identifying the active ingredients in herbals...PharmaPrint is informed and believes...that AHP [plans] to launch a line of combination products using PharmaPrint trade secrets..."

As of Aug. 23, both the claims and the counterclaims have been resolved and were to be be dismissed shortly. Terms of the settlement will remain confidential, and each company will continue to manufacture its own products and pursue its own patents. Terms of the negotiation dictate that neither company can discuss the settlement. For more information, visit www.pharmaprint.com or www.ahp.com.