By Peter Loftus
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
The European drug regulator's advisory body recommended approval of a generic version of Pfizer Inc.'s (PFE) erectile-dysfunction drug Viagra.
The European Medicine Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use said Friday it adopted a positive opinion of a version of Viagra proposed by Ratiopharm GmbH of Germany. Such opinions typically clear the way for European Commission approval.
Pfizer spokeswoman Sally Beatty said Viagra has patent protection in most major European markets until 2013. The drug's basic U.S. patent expires in 2012. Viagra had $1.3 billion in worldwide sales for the first nine months of 2009, down 6% from a year earlier.
It wasn't immediately clear whether Ratiopharm planned to launch its copycat version before Viagra patent protection is due to expire. Ratiopharm couldn't be reached immediately.
Earlier this year Pfizer fended off an attempt by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.'s (TEVA) Novopharm unit to sell a generic Viagra in Canada, securing a court ruling blocking the proposal.
Separately, the European committee adopted a positive opinion on Eli Lilly & Co.'s (LLY) Adcirca for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Adcirca has the same active ingredient as Lilly's Cialis, which competes with Viagra.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Adcirca in the U.S., where it's being marketed by United Therapeutics Corp. (UTHR) under a deal with Lilly.
Lilly shares declined 6 cents to $34.04 in recent trading. Pfizer dropped 25 cents to $17.31.
-By Peter Loftus, Dow Jones Newswires; 215-656-8289; peter.loftus@dowjones.com