** Shares of drugmaker Esperion ESPR.O rise 6.5% to $3.09
** ESPR says it has reached a settlement with India-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories that will prevent the latter from selling generic versions of its cholesterol drugs Nexletol and Nexlizet in the U.S. before April 2040
** The deal resolves a patent lawsuit filed by Esperion after Dr. Reddy’s sought approval to launch generic versions before the patents expired
** Esperion has already settled similar disputes earlier this year with Micro Labs, Hetero USA, and Accord Healthcare over generic versions of Nexletol
** As of last close, stock up 32% YTD
(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru)
((Kamal.Choudhury@thomsonreuters.com;))