GSK settles Relenza dispute for A$20M

GlaxoSmithKline, the UK-based second-largest global drugmaker by sales, has reached a final settlement in its long-running dispute with Australia's Biota Holdings, regarding the commercialization of the influenza drug Relenza (zanamivir) for allegedly failing to make sufficient efforts to market the product.

Under the terms of the deal, GSK has agreed to make a payment of A$20.0 million ($19.5 million), but does not admit liability. The litigation began in 2004 and sought up to A$430.0 million in damages after claiming that GSK had not met the conditions in its licensing agreement to use "best endeavors" in selling the flu product, which had tried to compete with Roche's Tamiflu (oseltamivir; Marketletters passim).