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 The European Commission, which carried out unannounced inspections
of Teva in 2019 and 2020, said the probe will look into whether Teva
has abused its dominant market position in breach of EU antitrust
rules, which could lead to hefty fines.
It said Teva may have artificially extended the market exclusivity
of Copaxone by strategically filing and withdrawing patents after
the 2015 expiry of a basic patent covering ingredient glatiramer
acetate which is used in the drug.
This repeatedly blocked the entry of its generic competitor who was
obliged to file a new legal challenge each time.
Teva said it was cooperating with the Commission.
"We do not believe that Teva adopted anti-competitive behaviors in
relation to Copaxone," the company said in a statement.
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The EU competition enforcer, which had in November last year
announced a preliminary investigation into the company, said the
case was important because more than half a million Europeans needed
treatment for multiple sclerosis.
"It is also important that companies compete to innovate so that new
and affordable treatments can emerge," European Competition
Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.
Teva, which has been fined twice in recent years for pay-for-delay
deals, could face a sanction up to 10% of its global turnover and an
additional deterrent fine if found guilty of breaching EU rules.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Additional reporting by Steven Scheer in
Jerusalem; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
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