13th Sep 2006 10:52
Court in the Netherlands Upholds Basic Lipitor Patent, Prevents Launch of Ranbaxy Product Before November 2011 NEW YORK, Sept. 13 -- Pfizer Inc said today that the District Court of The Hague in the Netherlands has ruled that the basic patent covering atorvastatin -- the active ingredient in Lipitor -- would be infringed by a competitor product from generics manufacturer Ranbaxy. The decision, which is subject to appeal, prevents Ranbaxy from launching its drug before Lipitor's basic patent (EP 247,633) expires in November 2011. "Today's decision is another affirmation of the strength of the intellectualproperty behind Lipitor, one of the most important medical breakthroughs of ourera," said Pfizer General Counsel Allen Waxman. "The court's ruling reinforcesthe fundamental principle that patent laws exist to support and encouragemedical innovators, not undermine them." Ranbaxy also had challenged a second patent covering the calcium salt ofatorvastatin (EP 409,281). The court ruled that the patent, which expires inJuly 2010, is invalid. Pfizer said that, while it plans to appeal the ruling,it will have no practical effect on the patent life of Lipitor in theNetherlands because the basic patent will remain in effect beyond theexpiration of the calcium salt patent. The decisions by the Dutch court do not affect challenges to Lipitor patentspending in other countries, including the United States. Pfizer said it willcontinue to aggressively defend its patents against infringement.SOURCE Pfizer Inc 09/13/2006 /CONTACT: Bryant Haskins of Pfizer Inc, +1-212-733-8719/ /Photo: A free corporate logo to accompany this story is available immediatelyvia Wieck Photo Database to any media with telephoto receiver or electronicdarkroom, PC or Macintosh, that can accept overhead transmissions. To retrievea logo, please call 972-392-0888./ /Web site: http://www.pfizer.com / (PFE) ENDPFIZER INCRelated Shares:
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