Pfizer Inc said today that the Eastern Division of the High Court in
Copenhagen, Denmark has ruled in the company’s
favor in challenges to two of its patents covering atorvastatin, the
active ingredient in Lipitor. The basic (DK 171,588) and enantiomer (EP
409,281) patents were challenged by generics manufacturer Ranbaxy.
The court ruled that the basic patent, which expires in November 2011,
would be infringed by Ranbaxy’s generic
atorvastatin product. The court also ruled that the atovastatin
enantiomer patent is valid. That patent expires in July 2010. The
decision, which is subject to possible appeal, prevents Ranbaxy from
launching its generic product before November 2011.
“Today’s decision is
an important outcome for Pfizer and other medical innovators who invest
in high-risk research to develop life-saving medicines for millions of
patients,” said Pfizer Denmark Country Manager
Karin Verland.
Pfizer Inc
Vanessa Aristide, 212-733-3784
