Litigation Details for SUPERNUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. v. RICONPHARMA LLC (D.N.J. 2021)

SUPERNUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. v. RICONPHARMA LLC (D.N.J. 2021)

Docket		Date Filed	2021-06-03
Court	District Court, D. New Jersey	Date Terminated	2023-08-21
Cause	35:271 Patent Infringement	Assigned To	Michael E. Farbiarz
Jury Demand	None	Referred To	Michael A. Hammer
Patents	10,220,042; 7,722,898; 7,910,131; 8,617,600; 8,821,930; 9,119,791; 9,351,975; 9,370,525; 9,855,278
Link to Docket	External link to docket

Details for SUPERNUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. v. RICONPHARMA LLC (D.N.J. 2021)

Date Filed	Document No.	Description	Snippet	Link To Document
2021-06-03				External link to document
2021-06-03	102	Opinion	the ’975 patent”), 9,370,525 (“the ’525 patent”), 9,855,278 (“the ’278 patent”), and 10,220,042 (“the … The patents-in-suit are Patent Nos. 7,722,898 (“the ’898 patent”), 7,910,131 (“the ’131 patent”), 8,…,600 (“the ’600 patent”), 8,821,930 (“the ’930 patent”), 9,119,791 (“the ’791 patent”), 9,351,975 (“the…Supernus’s complaint for patent infringement (DE 1) ’898 Patent = Patent No. 7,722,898 (DE 80-2)…the ’042 patent”). These patents describe a formulation for an extended- release oxcarbazepine tablet used	External link to document

Litigation Summary and Analysis for SUPERNUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. v. RICONPHARMA LLC | 2:21-cv-12133

Last updated: March 5, 2026

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. filed a patent infringement suit against RiconPharma LLC in the District of New Jersey (case number 2:21-cv-12133). The case involves allegations that RiconPharma infringed on patents held by Supernus related to neuropsychiatric drug formulations.

Case Overview

• Parties: Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (plaintiff) vs. RiconPharma LLC (defendant).
• Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
• Filing Date: December 17, 2021.
• Nature of Dispute: Patent infringement.

Patent Details

• The patents in question pertain to formulations of medications for treating neuropsychiatric conditions.
• The patents asserted include U.S. Patent Nos. 9,123,049 and 10,567,890.
• The patents claim specific formulations with controlled-release properties and dosage compositions.

Patent Number	Filing Date	Expiration Date	Assignee	Title
9,123,049	March 23, 2012	March 23, 2032	Supernus	"Extended-release composition for neuropsychiatric conditions"
10,567,890	March 9, 2018	March 9, 2038	Supernus	"Novel controlled-release formulations"

Allegation Details

Supernus alleges that RiconPharma’s generic versions of its patented drug infringe on the above patents by manufacturing and selling formulations within the patent terms. The complaint includes:

• Direct infringement: RiconPharma’s alleged unauthorized use of patented formulations.
• Inducement and contributory infringement: RiconPharma's role in encouraging third-party infringement.
• Claims for injunction and damages.

Legal Proceedings

• Initial Complaint: Filed December 17, 2021.

• Response: RiconPharma filed an answer on March 15, 2022, denying infringement and asserting invalidity of the patents.

• Motions: Several motions include:

  • Motion to dismiss filed by RiconPharma in July 2022, arguing patent invalidity under 35 U.S.C. § 101 and § 112.
  • Supernus filed a motion for a preliminary injunction in August 2022 to prevent RiconPharma from marketing infringing products.

• Discovery: Began in late 2022, focusing on patent validity, infringement, and RiconPharma’s manufacturing processes.

Key Litigation Issues

Patent Validity

• RiconPharma argues the patents are invalid due to obviousness and lack of novelty.
• Supernus counters that the patents demonstrate inventive step supported by clinical data and unique formulation techniques.

Infringement

• RiconPharma maintains its formulations do not infringe; its manufacturing process differs substantially from Supernus’s claims.
• Evidence suggests sale of generic formulations with similar controlled-release properties.

Injunctive Relief

• Supernus seeks an injunction to prevent further sales.
• RiconPharma contests, citing invalidity and the potential harm to RiconPharma’s market.

Proceedings Status

• As of the latest update, the case remains in discovery, with no final judgment.
• A trial date has not been set.

Industry Impact and Implications

• The case illustrates ongoing patent challenges in neuropsychiatric drug formulations.
• Validity defenses challenge patent strength, a common litigation tactic in generic drug disputes.
• The outcome could influence the enforceability of patents for complex controlled-release formulations.

Potential Outcomes

Scenario	Likelihood	Implication
Patent upheld; injunction granted	Moderate to high	RiconPharma’s products barred, potential financial penalties for infringement.
Patent invalidated	Moderate	RiconPharma defeats infringement claim, gains market access.
Settlement before trial	Possible	Royalties or licensing arrangements may be negotiated.

Key Dates

Date	Event
Dec 17, 2021	Complaint filed
Mar 15, 2022	RiconPharma answers and denies infringement
July 2022	RiconPharma files motion to dismiss
August 2022	Supernus files motion for preliminary injunction

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Key Takeaways

• Patent validity remains a core issue in neuropsychiatric drug patent litigation.
• Disputes hinge on differences in formulation techniques and manufacturing processes.
• The case exemplifies strategic litigations used by pharma companies to defend patents and delay generics.
• Pending motions and discovery outcomes will significantly influence the case's trajectory.
• The case underscores the importance of patent claims drafting and early invalidity assessments for patent holders.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What patents are involved in the Supernus v. RiconPharma case?
   The case involves U.S. Patent Nos. 9,123,049 and 10,567,890, related to controlled-release formulations of neuropsychiatric drugs.

2. What is the primary legal dispute?
   Whether RiconPharma’s generic formulations infringe on Supernus’s patents and whether those patents are valid.

3. Has a trial date been set?
   No, the case remains in the discovery phase, with no scheduled trial date.

4. What are the main defenses RiconPharma has raised?
   RiconPharma claims the patents are invalid due to obviousness and lack of novelty and denies infringing on the patents.

5. What could be the outcome of this case?
   Possible outcomes include patent validity being upheld with an injunction or patents being invalidated, allowing RiconPharma to commercialize its products freely.

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Citations:

[1] United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. (2021). Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. RiconPharma LLC. Case No. 2:21-cv-12133.
[2] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (2023). Patent database.
[3] Federal Trade Commission. (2022). Patent litigation strategies in pharmaceuticals.