Brian Druker, who invented the drug's molecule, says it would benefit patients in the short term.
In yet another setback to Swiss drug multinational Novartis AG, the Indian patent office has rejected its application to secure a patent for an alfa crystal form of its blockbuster cancer medicine, Glivec.
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis is buoyant about growth prospects and further protection of intellectual property rights in India, despite the setback it suffered in the patent dispute for its cancer drug Glivec last year.
In a landmark judgment that has the potential to change the direction of India's pharmaceutical business, the apex court said on Monday that the drug failed to qualify for a patent according to Indian law.
Supreme Court will give its verdict on April 1 on whether Swiss giant Novartis AG's cancer treatment drug Glivec deserves a patent in the country not it doesn't.
The denial of patent to Glivec was the first case of a multinational being denied patent protection for a drug that enjoys monopoly marketing rights in about 40 countries.
Terming the judgement as a 'landmark judgement' in favour of poor patients, domestic drug manufacturer associations, including Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance and Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association, hailed the apex court's decision.
Patients' lobbies cheer ruling on anti-cancer drug Glivec, as affordability and access to life-saving drugs get a leg-up.
Data contradict Swiss drug major's claim that India does not respect IPR.
Supreme Court is saying that consumers should not be forced to pay higher prices just because it is chemically a new drug unless there is a therapeutic benefit involved.
The drug Glivec was a genuinely new and important discovery deserving of patent protection.
Sector observers refute, call response a bluff.
In spite of all their complaints, pharma MNCs have been gaining market share in India. And this growth has come largely with generics.
Though the legal battle over Glivec's patentability may be over for now, Y K Sapru, the man spearheading the fight against Swiss multinational Novartis, isn't resting.
The US India Business Council expressed its unease over the Supreme Court on denying a patent on Glivec and said that this would impact innovation and investment climate in India as a time when the country needs foreign direct investment the most.
Oncologist Dr Sthabir Dasgupta talks about the impact of Novartis's losing patent case on the Indian pharma industry.
Decision by the Supreme Court denying a patent to Glivec discourages innovative drug discovery.
The company will continue to introduce products in the country, but not invest in R&D here, Novartis India Ltd Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Ranjit Shahani said at a press conference in Mumbai.
In a landmark judgment that has the potential to change the direction of India's pharmaceutical business, the Supreme Court said on Monday that the drug failed to qualify for a patent according to Indian law.
Employees allege forcible layoffs; firm says ensuring it "best maximises performance and optimises resources"
Eight commonly prescribed anti-cancer drugs will soon enter India's National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM).
Novartis's famed cancer drug, Glivec, will not get patent protection in India. The apex body on patent and trademark disputes, the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB), has ruled that the drug "lacks innovation" and the high price tag of Rs 120,000 per month per patient would be too high for the common man.
India is not so keen to co-operate with the US on IPR related probe.
The patent department made this declaration on August 16 after Novartis had failed to respond to its queries within the prescribed time.
The Supreme Court had rejected the company's plea for a patent on cancer drug Glivec in April.
India's Supreme Court in April rejected a patent for Novartis AG's cancer drug Glivec, saying it was an amended version of a known molecule called imatinib, setting the precedent for more such cases in the country.
Delegation visit ahead of patent law report.
India and the US on Sunday agreed to enhance their engagement on intellectual property rights, a vexed issue between the two countries.
The Indian government headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is known as the architect of the country's liberalisation and economic reforms, is inching towards a "protectionist" regime, top American experts have told US lawmakers.
India had been engaged in a contentious battle with the US over the issue, especially in the pharmaceutical sector.
Special 301 Report expresses concern over weak IPR laws, to conduct reviews.
Experts say despite it being a global deal, the transaction will have to undergo CCI scrutiny because of the scale of operations.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances