30th Aug 2006 14:40
Norway Court Decision 'Has No Practical Effect on Pfizer's Ability to Protect Lipitor from the Launch of a Competitor Generic Product By Ranbaxy' NEW YORK, Aug. 30 -- Pfizer Inc said today that a Norwegian court decision has no practical effect on the company's ability to protect Lipitor from the launch of a competitor generic product in Norway by Ranbaxy. "While we plan to appeal this decision, it's important to understand that Lipitor continues to be protected from generic competition in Norway through February 2009," said Peter Richardson, Pfizer's senior vice president, associate general counsel and chief of intellectual property. "In other major European markets Lipitor is protected by basic patents expiring in 2011." Pfizer's '706 patent, which was upheld in Norway last year as valid and infringed by Ranbaxy, remains in effect until February 2009. Ranbaxy's appeal of that decision is scheduled to be heard next March. SOURCE Pfizer Inc 08/30/2006 /CONTACT: Bryant Haskins of Pfizer Inc, +1-212-733-8719/ /Photo: A free corporate logo to accompany this story is available immediately via Wieck Photo Database to any media with telephoto receiver or electronic darkroom, PC or Macintosh, that can accept overhead transmissions. To retrieve a logo, please call 972-392-0888./ /Web site: http://www.pfizer.com / (PFE) ENDPFIZER INCRelated Shares:
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