9th Oct 2007 11:35
AstraZeneca PLC09 October 2007 EPO Rules European Nexium(R) Process Patent Valid AstraZeneca today announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) OppositionDivision has ruled that the European process patent EP 0773940 for Nexium(R) isvalid in amended form, despite an opposition by the German generic manufacturerratiopharm. The patent has been upheld as granted with regards to claims 1 and2. Regarding claims 3 and 4, minor amendments have been made. The EP 0773940 patent for Nexium(R) covers a process for the manufacturing ofesomeprazole and its salts in Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark,Spain, France, UK, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden. Thispositive decision by the EPO means that this patent in its amended form stillcovers the manufacturing process for Nexium(R). This patent expires in 2015. AstraZeneca has confidence in the intellectual property portfolio protectingNexium(R). This portfolio includes additional patents with expiration datesranging from 2009 through to 2018. In addition to these patents, Nexium(R) hasdata exclusivity valid until March 2010 in most major European markets. AstraZeneca will vigorously defend and enforce its intellectual property rightsprotecting Nexium(R). Worldwide Nexium(R) sales reached $ 5.2 billion in 2006. Europe accounted for$1.2 billion. -Ends- 9th October 2007 For further information contact: Media Enquiries:Steve Brown, +44 207 304 5033Edel McCaffrey, +44 207 304 5034 Investor Enquiries:Jonathan Hunt, +44 207 304 5087Mina Blair, +44 20 7304 5084Ed Seage, +1 302 886 4065Jorgen Winroth, +1 212 579 0506Karl Hard +44 207 304 5322 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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