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Rediff.com  » Business » Ranbaxy wins Lipitor case

Ranbaxy wins Lipitor case

By BS Reporter in New Delhi
May 30, 2007 10:44 IST
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In a boost to Ranbaxy in its ongoing litigation over anti-cholesterol drug Lipitor (atorvastatin) against Pfizer, a Norway court today ruled that four of the US pharma giant's patents were either invalid or not infringed by the Indian company.

The Tuesday's ruling upheld a Norwegian lower court's decision favouring Ranbaxy in two cases and overturned two other decisions that were favouring Pfizer, enabling Ranbaxy to market atorvastatin in that country.

Pfizer reacted that it would immediately appeal against the ruling in the Supreme Court of Norway. A favourable verdict in all the cases would have enabled Pfizer to enjoy worldwide patent rights on Lipitor, a $11 billion drug, till July 2016.

"This is the most important decision for Ranbaxy as it completely validates our position in relation to the Atorvastatin patents," said Jay Deshmukh, senior vice-president, global intellectual property, Ranbaxy.

"This decision will allow Ranbaxy to market an affordable, generic dosage form of atorvastatin that will be of benefit to Norwegian patients," he added.

The Norwegian Court of Appeal ruled that three Pfizer patents covering intermediate compounds used to make atorvastatin, the active ingredient in Lipitor, would not be infringed by the sale of a Ranbaxy generic product in Norway.

The court also ruled that Pfizer's patent covering a process for converting crystalline atorvastatin calcium into amorphous atorvastatin calcium is invalid.

"We are disappointed by the court's ruling," said Allen Waxman, Pfizer's senior vice-president and general counsel.

"But we are confident that, if the Supreme Court agrees to hear our appeal, we will be able to make a compelling argument in support of our patents."

Waxman pointed out that the ruling had no bearing on Lipitor patent challenges pending in other countries, including the United States.

Though Ranbaxy's announcement came after the close of the stock market, the company's shares gained 2.17 per cent or Rs 8.30 to Rs 390.45 on the Bombay Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

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BS Reporter in New Delhi
Source: source
 

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