A federal judge in New York Wednesday issued a preliminaryinjunction preventing Denmark-based Novo Nordisk A/S from sellingits recombinant human growth hormone, Norditropin, in the U.S.pending resolution of a patent battle between the company andGenentech Inc.

The injunction follows a temporary restraining order handed downearlier this month. (See BioWorld Today, June 16, p. 1.) NovoNordisk said it would appeal the decision.

The injunction was sought by Novo Nordisk's competitor, South SanFrancisco-based Genentech, which controls 75 percent of the U.S.growth hormone market with its two products, Protropin andNutropin. Total U.S. sales of growth hormones are between $300million and $400 million annually.

Genentech has sued Novo Nordisk and Bio-Technology GeneralCorp., of Iselin, N.J., claiming they infringed on its patents related torecombinant growth hormone. Novo Nordisk and Bio-TechnologyGeneral also have sued Genentech.

Both Novo Nordisk and Bio-Technology General received FDAapproval of their growth hormones in May. Bio-Technology'sproduct is called Bio-Tropin. _ Charles Craig

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