Naproxen Sodium ER tablets: District court opined willful infringement by Watson

The US District Court of Florida ruled that Watson's NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) product Naproxen ((+)-(S)-2-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)propanoic acid ) Sodium ER tablets, the generic version of Naprelan(R), infringes Elan's patent US5637320 which covers a once-daily naproxen formulation for oral administration having a first portion of the naproxen as a multi-particulate pellet form, each pellet having a core of naproxen or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in association with an organic acid, the core being surrounded by a multi-layer membrane and optionally a second portion of naproxen formulated to release the drug promptly following oral administration.
The court has found willful infringement of said patentFor details Market watch