Galderma Laboratories Inc. et al v. Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC et al

Filing 104

MEMORANDUM ORDER Granting 52 Defendants' Motion for Partial Judgment on the Pleadings based on Collateral Estoppel filed by Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Amneal Pharmaceuticals Co (I) Pvt Ltd. Signed by Judge Leonard P. Stark on 9/7/12. (ntl)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
GALDERMA LABORATORIES INC.,
GALDERMA LABORATORIES, L.P., and :
SUPERNUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., :
Plaintiffs,

v.

C.A. No. 11-1106-LPS

AMNEAL PHARMACEUTICALS, LLC
and AMNEAL PHARMACEUTICALS CO. :
(I) PVT. LTD.,
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM ORDER
At Wilmington this 7th day of September, 2012:
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Defendants' motion for partial judgment on the
pleadings based on collateral estoppel (D.I. 52) (hereinafter, "Motion" or "Mot.") is GRANTED
for the following reasons:
In this Abbreviated New Drug Application ("ANDA'') patent litigation, Defendants,
Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC and Arnneal Pharmaceuticals Co. (I) Pvt. Ltd. (collectively,
"Amneal"), move for judgment on the pleadings that their proposed 40 mg doxycycline product
does not infringe the "Ashley patents." 1 Amneal's Motion is based on collateral estoppel (issue
preclusion). Specifically, Amneal relies on this Court's finding in a related ANDA action2
(hereinafter, "the Mylan Action") that a proposed generic product containing 40 mg doxycycline

1

The Ashley patents are U.S. Patent Nos. 7,232,572 and 7,211,267. An additional patent,
U.S. Patent No. 7,749,532 (the "Chang patent"), is also asserted against Amneal in this action.
(D.I. 1 Exhs. A-C)
2

See Research Found. ofState Univ. of New York v. Mylan Pharms. Inc., 809 F. Supp. 2d
896 (D. Del. 2011) (hereinafter, "Mylan").

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administered once daily does not infringe the Ashley patents, because such products do not

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contain the required "sub-antibacterial amounts" of doxycycline but, rather, significantly inhibit
the growth of microorganisms. See Mylan, 809 F. Supp. 2d at 317 & n.12.
Plaintiffs, Galderma Laboratories Inc., Galderma Laboratories, L.P., and Supemus
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (collectively, "Gal derma"), who assert the Ashley patents against Amneal,
oppose the Motion. (D.I. 59) Galderma contends that collateral estoppel does not apply because
the instant action does not present the "identical issue" as the Mylan Action. In Galderma's
view, the Motion must be denied because this case involves Amneal's proposed product, while
the Mylan Action involved Mylan's different proposed product. Galderma also insists that the
Motion is premature because Galderma has not yet taken discovery on Amneal' s proposed
product. Galderma further asserts that granting the Motion will undermine judicial efficiency,
given the potential outcome of its pending appeal in the Mylan Action.
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(c), a party may move for judgment on the
pleadings, "[a]fter pleadings are closed- but early enough not to delay trial." As the Third
Circuit has explained, in authority on which Galderma relies (D.I. 59 at 3):
"Under Rule 12(c), judgment will not be granted unless the movant
clearly establishes that no material issue of fact remains to be
resolved and that he is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. In
reviewing the grant of a Rule 12(c) motion, we must view the facts
presented in the pleadings and the inferences to be drawn
therefrom in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party."

Domino's Pizza LLC v. Deak, 383 Fed. Appx. 155, 158 (3d Cir. 2010) (quoting Rosenau v.
Unifund Corp., 539 F.3d 218,221 (3d Cir. 2008)). "[J]udgment will not be granted unless the
movant clearly establishes there are no material issues of fact, and he is entitled to judgment as a
matter oflaw." Sikirica v. Nationwide Ins. Co., 416 F.3d 214, 220 (3d Cir. 2005). A Rule 12(c)
2

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motion is subject to the same standard as a Rule 12(b)( 6) motion to dismiss. See Citisteel USA,

Inc. v. Gen. Elec. Co., 78 Fed. Appx. 832, 835 n.3 (3d Cir. 2003).
A party asserting collateral estoppel must prove the following elements: (1) the previous
determination was necessary to the decision; (2) the identical issue was previously litigated;
(3) the issue was actually decided on the merits and the decision was final and valid; and (4) the
party being precluded from re-litigating the issue was adequately represented in the previous
action. See Jean Alexander Cosmetics, Inc. v. L'Oreal USA, Inc., 458 F.3d 244, 249 (3d Cir.
2006); Novartis Pharms. Corp. v. Abbott Labs., 375 F.3d 1328, 1333 (Fed. Cir. 2004).
Gal derma essentially concedes all but the second of the four elements of collateral
estoppel. With respect to element (1), Galderma, in its opposition, does not contest (and, of
course, it cannot) that the Court's finding of non-infringement ofthe Ashley patents was
necessary to the Court's decision in the Mylan Action, given that Galderma asserted there that
Mylan infringed the Ashley patents. With respect to element (3), Galderma does not challenge
Amneal' s contention that the issue of infringement of the Ashley patents was actually decided in
the Mylan Action, and that decision (although currently on appeal) is presently embodied in a
final and valid judgment. With respect to element (4), Gal derma concedes by its silence that it
was adequately represented in the Mylan Action (in which, not incidentally, it was represented by
the same able counsel as represents it in the instant action), an action in which it had a full and
fair opportunity- culminating in a four-day bench trial followed by substantial post-trial briefing
-to litigate infringement of the Ashley patents. 3

3

Galderma Laboratories Inc. and Gal derma Laboratories LP, both of whom are plaintiffs
here, were also parties to the Mylan action. See C.A. No. 09-184-LPS (D. Del.); C.A. No. 10892-LPS (D. Del.).
3

The dispute, then, is whether Gal derma's claim that Amneal infringes the Ashley patents
presents the "identical issue" that was previously litigated and decided against Galderma in the
Mylan Action. On this question, the Court agrees with Amneal.
In the Mylan Action, the Court decided whether a product containing 40 mg of
doxycycline, administered once daily, infringes the Ashley patents. See Mylan, 809 F. Supp. 2d
at 317-22. It is undisputed that Amneal's ANDA, like Mylan's ANDA, seeks FDA approval to
market a product containing 40 mg of doxycycline to be administered once daily. (D.I. 1 ~ 27)
Hence, in order to prevail against Amneal on its claim for infringement of the Ashley patents,
Galderma would have to prevail on the "identical issue" it previously litigated - and lost - in the
Mylan Action.
In response to this simple logic, Galderma argues that no identical issue is presented here,
because the Mylan Action involved Mylan's proposed product while the instant action involves
Amneal's different proposed product. Galderma even suggests that Amneal has somehow been
inconsistent, claiming that Amneal has, over the course of this litigation, argued "that its generic
product has a distinct formulation from Mylan's generic product." (D.I. 59 at 2) Galderma's
argument lacks merit. Gal derma identifies no actual inconsistency in Amneal' s position.
Instead, the two citations on which Galderma relies- a portion of Amneal's brief opposing
Galderma's motion to stay (which the Court denied, see D.I. 56), and a statement Amneal made
during a scheduling conference (see D.I. 59 at 4, 6) (citing D.I. 21 at 10; D.I. 34 at 10)- show
that Amneal has consistently argued its proposed product differs from Mylan's proposed product

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in terms of their overall formulations, a matter having nothing to do with the Ashley patents. 4
Galderma's remaining arguments are likewise flawed. Galderma places heavy emphasis
on the fact that its appeal of the Court's ruling in the Mylan Action is pending, presenting the
possibility that the Federal Circuit will reverse or vacate the Court's finding of non-infringement
on the Ashley patents. It may be, as Galderma expects, that "the Federal Circuit will address
claim construction of the term 'sub-antibacterial amount' and related terms in the Mylan Appeal,
and that the Federal Circuit's ruling on this issue will guide or possibly control the issue of
Ashley patent infringement in this action." (D.I. 59 at 8) Yet, unless or until such a ruling is
handed down by the Federal Circuit, this Court's judgment in the Mylan Action has effectincluding, here, collateral estoppel effect. The pendency of an appeal does not diminish either
the finality or binding effect of a trial court's holding. See Pharmacia & UpJohn Co. v. My/an
Pharms., Inc., 170F.3d 1373,1381 (Fed. Cir.1999).
On this point, the Court adheres to the reasoning it articulated at the June 2012 hearing, in
denying Galderma's motion to stay this action pending appeal:
By no means am I saying that I have any idea or any
confidence or lack of confidence that what the Court ruled in the
Galderma v Mylan case will be affirmed in part or in whole, but
that ruling is the status quo at the moment and unless and until the
Federal Circuit does something to change it, this Court, in an
exercise of its discretion, is going to act on that status quo.
(D.I. 67 at 49)
Relatedly, Galderma contends that if this Court's decision in the Mylan Action is
reversed or vacated, judicial economy will have been undermined by today' s ruling, as it will

4

Instead, this is the subject of the parties' dispute relating to the Chang patent, which the
Court found to be infringed by Mylan. See 809 F. Supp. 2d at 329-31.
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then be necessary to revive the claims relating to the Ashley patents. Galderma's unstated
assumption that matters of judicial economy may preclude application of collateral estoppel may
be incorrect. See generally Parklane Hosiery Co., Inc. v. Shore, 439 U.S. 322, 326 (1979)
("Collateral estoppel ... has the dual purpose of protecting litigants from the burden of
relitigating an identical issue with the same party or his privy and of promoting judicial economy
by preventing needless litigation."). Assuming, without deciding, that concerns of judicial
economy may trump proper application of collateral estoppel, Galderma's reasoning is
unpersuasive in the instant case. The Court does not perceive any efficiencies to be gained by
permitting litigation of the Ashley patents to proceed at this time, nor any likely inefficiencies
that will result from its decision today. Indeed, Amneal has largely mooted Galderma's concerns
by conceding that "[s]hould the Federal Circuit conclude in any Mylan appeal that 40 mg of
doxycycline does infringe the Ashley patents, Amneal will not seek tore-litigate this issue."
(D.I. 66 at 9 (emphasis added); see also D.l. 53 at 11 ("[I]fGalderma prevails on appeal and the
Federal Circuit reverses this Court's non-infringement decision as to the Ashley patents, then
Galderma may move to modify this Court's judgment against Amneal just as this Court's
judgment in the prior Mylan action will be modified."))
Gal derma observes that a claim of patent infringement will not often be defeated by an
assertion of collateral estoppel. It is undeniable, however, that collateral estoppel may
sometimes defeat a claim of patent infringement. See Blonder-Tongue Labs., Inc. v. Univ. of

Illinois Found., 402 U.S. 313,348 (1971) ("[T]he accused infringer should have available an
estoppel defense that can be pleaded affirmatively and determined on a pretrial motion for
judgment on the pleadings or summary judgment."); Molinaro v. Fannon/Courier Corp., 745

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F.2d 651,655 (Fed. Cir. 1984) ("[W]here a determination ofthe scope of patent claims was made
in a prior case, and the determination was essential to the judgment there on the issue of
infringement, there is collateral estoppel in a later case on the scope of such claims, i.e., the
determined scope cannot be changed."). Here, application of collateral estoppel is compelled
because precisely the issue on which Galderma's assertion of the Ashley patents against Amneal
is based- the anti-bacterial effect of 40 mg of doxycycline administered once daily- was
previously litigated and decided against Galderma. How frequently similar circumstances arise is
immaterial.
Gal derma further argues that the Motion is premature, as discovery on Amneal' s
proposed product is not yet completed. But, as is plain from what the Court has already stated,
the pertinent issue is not "fact-laden," as Galderma unpersuasively contends. (D.I. 59 at 4) To
the contrary, the Court's finding of non-infringement of the Ashley patents in the Mylan Action
was in no meaningful sense tied to anything unique about Mylan's proposed product. This
conclusion is inescapable from the fact that the Court relied on scientific publications discussing
the antibacterial effect in vivo of 40 mg doxycycline administered once daily. See Mylan, 809 F.
Supp. 2d at 317. This same conclusion is further confirmed by the Court's express statement that

Galderma's product was itself not an embodiment of the Ashley patents. See id. at 321-22. As
Amneal states, "no amount of discovery will change the fact that '40 mg doxycycline
administered once-daily does significantly inhibit the growth of some microorganisms in some
locations of some humans at some times."' (D.I. 66 at 6) (quoting Mylan, 809 F. Supp. 2d at
317).
Gal derma argues that Amneal' s Motion is premature for the additional reason that, at the

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time it was filed, the pleadings were not "closed," because Amneal's (unopposed) request to
amend its counterclaim to add the affirmative defense of collateral estoppel (following the
Court's entry of judgment in the Mylan Action) had not yet been granted. (D.I. 59 at 4 n.l) But,
as Amneal points out, the pleadings were closed at the time it filed the Motion, even though they
were subsequently amended. (See D.I. 66 at 5-6 n.2) (citing Novo Nordisk, Inc. v. Paddock

Labs., Inc., 797 F. Supp. 2d 926, 929 (D. Minn. 2011)) Proceeding as Galderma implies the
Court should do - denying the Motion without prejudice, requiring Amneal to renew its Motion,
then granting the renewed Motion- would not promote the "just, speedy, and inexpensive
determination" ofthis action. Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 1.
In sum, after viewing the facts presented in the pleadings and the inferences to be drawn
therefrom in the light most favorable to Galderma, the Court concludes that Amneal has clearly
established that no material issue of fact remains as to collateral estoppel and Amneal is entitled
to judgment as a matter of law.
Accordingly, Defendants' motion for partial judgment on the pleadings based on
collateral estoppel (D.I. 52) is GRANTED. Specifically, judgment is entered FOR Amneal and
AGAINST Galderma on: (1) Counts II and III ofGalderma's Complaint (D.I. 1), which assert
infringement of the Ashley patents; (2) Amneal's First Affirmative Defense (D.I.

57~~

50-51),

asserting non-infringement of the Ashley patents; (3) Amneal's Sixth Affirmative Defense (id.
~59),

asserting collateral estoppel; and (4) Count I of Amneal's counterclaim (id. at pp. 14-15) to

the extent that it asserts non-infringement of the Ashley patents.

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