Celgene says Barr withdrew generic Thalomid filing

SUMMIT, N.J. - Celgene Corp. said Thursday that a competitor withdrew its application for a generic version of Celgene's cancer drug Thalomid.

Celgene said Barr Laboratories withdrew the application, which had been filed in 2006 with the Food and Drug Administration.

As a result, Celgene said it had dropped a 2007 patent infringement lawsuit against Barr.

Celgene markets Thalomid, or thalidomide, as a treatment for multiple myeloma, which is a cancer that affects bone marrow.

The company filed suit against Barr Pharmaceuticals in January 2007, saying Barr's proposed generic violated patents held by Celgene.

Barr was acquired in late 2008 by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., the world's largest maker of generic drugs, which is based in Israel and has its U.S. headquarters in North Wales, Montgomery County.