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New Delhi March 13 Ranbaxy faces a legal suit from Pfizer for its plans to launch a generic version of the cholesterol and blood pressure drug, Caduet.

India's largest drug maker is seeking US approval to sell its own version of Pfizer's Caduet, a combination of its Norvasc and its biggest seller, the cholesterol-lowering drug, Lipitor.

Pfizer is believed to have complained to a federal court in the US on March 9 that Ranbaxy's drug would infringe on its patents.

The patent on Norvasc, the blood pressure drug, expires in September and the patent for atorvastatin, Lipitor's key ingredient, expires in 2010.

A Ranbaxy spokesperson said: "Our strategy on litigations is a considered strategy where we bring to bear our innovative R&D capabilities to develop generic alternatives and litigate against patents that are weak in our opinion."

He added: "We challenge them based on the fact that we believe, after due consideration and careful study, they are invalid or not infringed."

He also said: "This is because we are committed to bringing drugs that are affordable to all.

"We are a science- and innovation-driven company. We respect patents, but when non-infringing products are developed such efforts must be rewarded."

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