Astrazeneca Plc and Ranbaxy Labs failed to derail a landmark trial in the US accusing the companies of colluding to delay the release of a cheaper version of the top-selling heartburn pill Nexium. US District Judge in Boston denied a bid by the UK drugmaker and the Indian generics manufacturer to end the jury trial early.

Commenting on the same Sarabjit Kour Nangra, vice president research- Pharma, Angel Broking said, "The companies had argued the plaintiffs failed to provide enough evidence that AstraZeneca illegally paid Ranbaxy to keep the lower-cost alternative off the market.

The trial over AstraZeneca's pay-for-delay deals to block early competition to Nexium is the first of its kind since the U.S. Supreme Court last year opened the door, finding companies can be sued over such deals, as according to Federal Trade Commission, whose litigation led to the high court ruling, argues such pay-for-delay accords cost drug purchasers as much as USD 3.5 billion a year. The ruling of the case will determine whether, the company will have to pay any penalty for the same. We remain neutral on the stock.''

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