Novo Nordisk, one of the Big Three insulin manufacturers (Eli Lilly and Sanofi-Aventis round out the group), has started legal action in the United States to block the launch of rival Sanofi-Aventis' new SoloSTAR injection pen. Novo claims Sanofi's SoloSTAR infringes on the patents of its NovoPen 4. Sanofi is ramping up for a U.S. launch in the next few months -- they contest Novo's claims and will defend their rights in court.

According to a March 2007 post in Scott Strumello's blog, the SoloSTAR is a disposable insulin pen aimed at the vast type 2 market, and Sanofi's Lantus will be the first insulin used in the new pen. SoloSTAR reduces the injection force by 30 percent or more compared to other leading disposable pens, good for people with poor grip or limited hand mobility. Different pen colors will be offered for different insulins, a nice feature to aid in correct insulin identification.

From my internet and blogosphere research, the SoloSTAR was introduced in Europe last April, and it was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

This isn't the first Novo/Sanofi patent scuffle. Novo has alleged Sanofi's OptiClik pen deliberately infringed patent protections on Novo's Flexpen (post image from www.novonordisk.com). The Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust's April newsletter stated the case should go to court sometime this year.