Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.’s Subsidiaries File Notice of Appeal in Patent Litigation Concerning Zohydro® ER with BeadTek®


MORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTX), announced today that, on September 7, 2018, its subsidiaries, Pernix Therapeutics, LLC, a specialty pharmaceutical company, and Pernix Ireland Pain Designated Activity Company, filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in the Company’s litigation against Alvogen Malta Operations, Ltd. (Alvogen).

The litigation relates to Alvogen’s submission of an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market a generic version of Pernix’s Zohydro® ER with BeadTek® (hydrocodone bitartrate).  The United States District Court for the District of Delaware previously found the asserted claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 9,265,760 and 9,339,499, which relate to methods of treating patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment with hydrocodone bitartrate, to be infringed, but invalid. 

Absent a reversal of the Court’s decision, pursuant to a previous settlement agreement dated September 29, 2016, between Alvogen and Recro Gainsville LLC, Alvogen can launch a generic version of Zohydro® ER with BeadTek®, subject to final approval of an ANDA from the FDA, as early as October 1, 2019.  All other terms of the settlement agreement are confidential.

Further, the Court’s decision has no immediate impact on Pernix’s January 2018 settlement agreement with Actavis Laboratories FL relating to a proposed generic version of Zohydro® ER with BeadTek®.  Under the terms of the Actavis settlement agreement, Pernix granted Actavis a license to begin selling a generic version of Zohydro® ER with BeadTek® on March 1, 2029.  The launch of Actavis’s generic product is contingent upon Actavis receiving final approval from the FDA of its ANDA for a generic version of Zohydro® ER with BeadTek®.

About Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.
Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) is the parent company of Pernix Therapeutics, LLC, a specialty pharmaceutical business focused on acquiring and commercializing prescription drugs, primarily for the U.S. market.  Pernix Therapeutics, LLC is currently focused on the therapeutic areas of Pain and Neurology, and has an interest in expanding into additional specialty segments.  Pernix Therapeutics, LLC promotes branded products to physicians through its internal sales force.  The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Macoven Pharmaceuticals, LLC, and Cypress Pharmaceuticals, Inc., market a portfolio of generic products.

To learn more about Pernix Therapeutics, visit www.pernixtx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Statements including words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or similar expressions are forward-looking statements.  These statements reflect the Company’s current views, expectations and beliefs concerning future events.  In addition, any statements related to Pernix’s future strategy and plans with respect to its intellectual property portfolio and other statements related to the outcome of pending litigation, settlement discussions or other adverse proceedings or rulings contained herein are forward-looking statements. Such plans, expectations and statements are as to future events and are not to be viewed as facts, and reflect various assumptions of management of the Company and are subject to significant business, financial, economic, operating, competitive, litigation and other risks and uncertainties and contingencies (many of which are difficult to predict and beyond the control of the Company) that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements included herein. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Pernix that any of its plans will be achieved.  Investors should note that many factors, including the risks and uncertainties inherent in the outcome of pending litigation and settlement proceedings, as more fully described in Pernix’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (including, but not limited to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period ended June 30, 2018 and subsequent filings with the SEC), could affect the Company’s future financial results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements, such as those contained in this press release.  The forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified by risk factors identified by the Company.  These risk factors, individually or in the aggregate, could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results.  You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

CONTACT
Investor Relations
Bob Yedid
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
Bob@LifeSciAdvisors.com